The Building branch could be said to be as old as the Institute itself, dating back to 1918 when the need for some form of organized training was identified for skills training in:

1. Carpentry and Joinery
2. Masonry and brick laying at Craft level within the Public Works Department.

The Building Branch has continued to train for the infrastructure sector and currently offers the following programmes;

Internally certified short and tailor-made Capacity Building Courses namely; Building Supervisors, Contract Management, Safety in Construction Sites, Occupational Health Safety and Environment and other skills improvement courses in plumbing, painting, masonry and Carpentry/Joinery. Regular Diploma and Craft Courses which are KNEC and NITA examined; Diploma in Architecture Diploma in Building Technology Diploma in Quantity Surveying Craft Certificate in: - Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Masonry Carpentry and Joinery Architecture

QS. Thomas Nyabero Branch Head - Building. bhbuilding@kihbt.ac.ke

The Branch is also responsible to the Institute’s administration in the discharge of project planning, management and co-ordination of infrastructural developments in the Buildings Sub-sector, including improvements and maintenance. The branch in collaboration with the Program Coordinators office also offers attachment opportunities to its trainees. The branch’s key objectives:

1. To equip the trainees with the relevant technical skills and competencies to enable them be relevant, responsive and demonstrate professionalism in the dynamic infrastructure development sector.
2. To produce Technicians and Technologists to meet industrial and technological needs through attachment, innovation and research & development initiatives. To date our graduate trainees are absorbed in the Building Construction Industry as middle level Managers, Clerks of Works, Technicians, Site Supervisors, Draughtsman in both public and private sectors. Opportunities for trained personnel also exist in self-employment as Contractors.