After completing high school, many form four leavers find themselves at a crossroads, wondering how to make the most of their time before joining university.

While some engage in household chores, others opt for short courses that not only keep them productive but also enhance their skills and knowledge.

The Kenya Times has compiled a selection of short courses available for Form Four leavers as they await their exam results and prepare for tertiary education.

Baking and Pastry

KCSE leavers can benefit themselves with short practical skills in baking and pastry from the Nairobi College of Bread and Confectionery Technology for various courses such as.

The courses come in different forms in terms of duration including some 2 weeks courses (3 hours or 6 hours per day for only KSh13,500), and another one taking 10 weeks (3hours or 6 hours) per day for only KSh52,500.

Engaging in this course not only allows one to capitalize on innate creativity but also pave way for a promising career ahead.

There are abundant job prospects, particularly for those with a business mindset.

Consider pursuing a college course in baking and pastry and refine your skills with the ultimate goal of establishing your own modest bakery or pastry shop.

Alternatively, you could find a job in some of Kenya’s major bakeries, expanding your opportunities in the field.

Also Read: KNEC Announces 2024 KCSE Registration Dates & Changes.

Driving courses

Driving is an excellent addition to one’s portfolio with a potential of opening avenues to opportunities in different sectors.  

Accredited institutions like the Automotive Association of Kenya (AA-Kenya) offer comprehensive driving courses, providing Form Four leavers with the valuable life skill.

The AA Driving school fee’s structure is Ksh7,980 for motorcycle driving course, Ksh20,980 (for light vehicle) and Ksh19,900 for heavy commercial trucks.

Aspiring PSV drivers pay ksh11,500 while those taking refresher driving courses pay about ksh10, 000.

Hair dressing

Hairdressing could also prove to be a valuable and practical course for individuals awaiting to pursue their higher education.

This vocational training not only equips students with essential hairstyling skills but also offers a viable avenue for self-employment or part-time work during the interim period.

As a hands-on course, it provides a creative outlet for artistic expression while fostering a strong foundation in customer service and business management, skills that can prove beneficial in various future endeavors.

Students can choose to enroll in a Beauty Point College which is a widely recognized institution committed to the development and delivery of innovative, high quality education systems for the Hair and Beauty Industry.

For the Certificate program, spanning a duration of 6 months, the fee structure is designed to make quality education accessible.

Also Read: Jobs One Can Get with a KCPE Certificate Only

The admission fee is set at Ksh1,000, providing entry into the program. To facilitate manageable payments, a monthly installment of Ksh 10,000 is established.

Internal exams, an integral part of the learning process, costs an additional fee of Ksh 2,000. The primary tuition cost for the comprehensive curriculum is Ksh 63,000.

Additionally, students are required to invest in a uniform and an ID card, amounting to Ksh2,000.

A starter kit, essential for practical application of the acquired knowledge, comes at a cost of Ksh 6,000. The total fees for the Certificate program sum up to Ksh 71,000.

Foreign Languages

Embracing a second international language could hand you a significant advantage in any career field, as the demand for multilingual individuals continues to rise.

Whether starting as beginners or intermediate learners, Form Four leavers can explore languages such as Chinese, Spanish, French, German, or Arabic at renowned institutions like Goethe Institute, Alliance Francaise, or Jamia Training Institute.

This not only enhances career prospects but also exposes learners to diverse cultures and histories, giving them a significant competitive advantage to international job opportunities.

The cost of language courses in Kenya varies widely, ranging from Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 250,000, with factors such as the language studied, course duration, level of instruction, and school location influencing the overall expense.

For instance, a 3-month beginner-level English course at Language Link in Nairobi is priced at KES 35,000, whereas a 2-month beginner-level French course at the Alliance Française in Nairobi costs KES 36,000.

Course duration also plays a role, as seen in the example of a 1-month beginner-level Swahili course at the Kenya Institute of Languages in Nairobi, priced at Kah 16,000, compared to a 6-month advanced-level English course at the same institution, which costs Ksh 70,000.

The level of instruction further impacts costs, as demonstrated by an intermediate-level Spanish course at the Instituto Cervantes in Nairobi costing KES 85,000 for 6 months, while an advanced-level Arabic course at the same institution is priced at KES 120,000 for 9 months.

Additionally, the location of the school influences prices, exemplified by the Confucius Institute in Nairobi charging Ksh 60,000 for a 6-month beginner-level Chinese course, while the same course in Eldoret, a smaller city in Kenya, costs Ksh 45,000.

Certified Public Accountants (CPA)

The popular CPA course in Kenya, offered by the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB), comprises six modules.

Form Four leavers interested in accounting can start with the initial modules while awaiting admission to their preferred colleges.

Pursuing CPA beforehand enhances their professional portfolio, and colleges like the Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) admit students annually.

An individual who wants to register for a professional KASNEB exam like CPA, they will be required to pay a registration fee of ksh7500, and renewal of ksh2,000 annually, together with ksh4,000 for the activation of registration.

Music Classes

For those with an artistic flair, music and instrumental classes offer an opportunity to enhance skills and cultivate perseverance.

The Kenya Conservatoire of Music provides professional music classes, allowing Form Four leavers to explore their artistic side while building discipline and consistency.

The music company charges according to the period of time taken per package.

That is, 1 hour package at ksh28,000, 45 minutes package worth ksh21,600-, and 30-minutes package for ksh14,400 per term inclusive of 12 weekly session, one on one with your trainer.

They also offer group theory course for people who want to learn music theory in a group setting at ksh14,400 per term.

Computer packages and ICDL

In the 21st century, basic computer skills are essential in professional fields.

The International Certificate of Digital Literacy (ICDL) is a globally recognized qualification in ICT, demonstrating competency in computer usage.

As such, taking computer package lessons will thus provide you with the necessary skills for digital solutions.

ICDL is an international qualification in ICT that demonstrates the ability to use computers competently.

Computer packages and ICDL classes both take up to three months to complete.

Individuals can choose to enroll with Jodan College of Technology, for example, for both computer 10 packages courses at a cost of ksh 6,000 for 2 hours each day, for a period of 3 months or 4 hours each day for 2 months.

They can also seek to pursue ICDL within the institution costing ksh 35,000 for 7 ICDL modules.

As Form Four leavers navigate the transition to higher education, these diverse short courses offer a chance for personal growth, skill development, and a head start in their chosen fields.