What are some of the most marketable short courses in Kenya? Where can I study them? How long do they take? Where can I get employed after taking these courses?
These are among some of the questions that we will be answering in this guide.
That being so, let’s have a look at these courses…
Marketable short courses in Kenya
Without much ado, below are some of the most marketable short courses you can study in Kenya:
Digital marketing
As more people (consumers) are spending their time online, many entrepreneurs and businesses are looking to take their marketing online.
This has led to an increased demand for digital marketers.
Furthermore, if you learn the course from an institution with an in-depth curriculum, you can also learn how to run your own online business or get remote marketing jobs.
Digital marketing has several niches such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, PPC ads, content creation etc.
As such, before applying for a digital marketing course, I normally recommend people to first go through the institution’s course outline.
This is because an in-depth digital marketing course will not only help you start your business but it will also give you more exposure when choosing which digital marketing niche to specialize in.
You see, oftentimes, specialty digital marketers tend to earn more compared to general digital marketers.
SEE: Where to learn digital marketing in Kenya
One more thing, most digital marketing courses take 3 months.
Software engineering and mobile app development (programming/coding)
This is one of the most marketable short courses in Kenya and the world at large.
The one thing that drives its marketability is that most areas of our lives are nowadays dependent on technology.
Just so you know, software engineering involves knowing how to develop and manage computer applications.
Additionally, good software engineering courses also have modules for teaching full-stack web development.
For more information on what the course entails, where you can get employment, and much more, check out our software engineering guide.
Wi-Fi and security systems installation
If you take a random walk around your local town or its suburbs, you will notice that most businesses and homes are installing wi-fi and modern security systems such as CCTVs, alarm systems, and electric & razor fences.
What you might not know is that there are not many skilled installers.
This not only reduces the competition but also makes the pay worthwhile.
That being so, if you prefer technical jobs, then this course might be a good choice for you.
Usually, this course takes 1-3 months depending on where you’re learning it.
Photography and Videography
The increased number of content creators has resulted in increased demand for professional videographers and video editors.
Furthermore, good photography and videography skills can open more doors for you as an entrepreneur – there are many photography and videography niches such as:
- Event photography and videography
- Documentary photography and videography
- Product photography and videography
- Aerial (drone) photography and videography
- Corporate photography and videography
- Music videography among others
Not to mention that the content creation industry has led to an increased demand for stock photos, stock videos, and video editors.
In short, if you’re creative, you can never sleep hungry with these skills.
Usually, the photography and videography course takes 3 months – here are some good schools that are offering the course.
Online jobs
With the advancements in technology and changes in office culture, there has been an increase in online and remote job opportunities.
Some of these online jobs include blogging, writing, transcription, virtual assistance, and social media management.
When it comes to online jobs, the secret to being successful is specializing in one or two niches… Unless you want to be a virtual assistant where having several skills is an added advantage.
When it comes to the marketability of these jobs, you need not to worry considering today, most people prefer to delegate their jobs online.
This is because it’s much cheaper to hire someone when you only need their services compared to employing them full-time.
At Kenya Online College, we offer training for some of these courses such as:
- Social media management and marketing course
- Virtual assistance course
- Blogging course
- Transcription course
Usually, the courses take between 1-3 months.
Something else: We offer both online classes – so you don’t have to worry if you can’t make it for the face-to-face classes.
Electronics repair
If you’re passionate about consumer electronics and you’re business-minded, then this course might be for you.
However, the secret will be to go beyond learning how to repair traditional electronics such as TVs, phones, woofers, etc.
Pick an electronics course that will also teach you how to repair modern electronics such as dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, microwaves, ACs, and so on.
You see, more and more people are buying these appliances and this is what drives the demand for their repair technicians.
Graphic design
Today, many businesses are looking for in-house graphic designers.
This is mostly due to the businesses increasing their social media presence and the need for good graphic designers to create eye-catching graphics to accompany these posts.
Additionally, there’s quite a demand for exceptional freelance graphic designers on various online platforms.
Usually, a comprehensive graphic design course takes 3 months.
Barista short course
If you have a passion for the hospitality sector, you can consider giving this course a try.
As a barista, your specialty will be preparing different coffee and espresso-based drinks such as cappuccino, americano, latte, etc.
If you’re wondering how marketable the course is, just take 20 random job adverts – I bet you 2 or 3 will be for baristas.
And the good part is that you will work in specialty cafes or high-end hotels where the pay and tips are good.
In most institutions, the barista course takes 2-3 months.
Human resource course
This is another very marketable course in Kenya and organizations are struggling to fill it due to lack of enough qualified personnel.
This can be a good course especially if you envision working in an office environment and you’re good with people.
In most institutions, the entry requirement for a Certificate in Human Resource is a D+ in KCSE.
Just so you know, a certificate in human resource takes 6-12 months.
Parting words on marketable short courses in Kenya
When choosing which course is right for you, remember to pick one that aligns with your passions and career goals.
Also, if you are a busy professional, you might not have the time to attend face-to-face classes.
However, worry not.
At Kenya Online College, we offer a wide range of short professional courses and we have an online option for these courses – check out our courses here.
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Patrick is a digital marketer and web designer by profession but on the side, he talks about how to use skills to make money online. He studied Applied Statistics at the university. He’s also an avid reader and digital skills trainer. Have any questions? Connect with him on LinkedIn.