By Maria Mbogo and Lenjo Mbala
Introduction
Welding is a vital activity in the informal manufacturing and construction sector, commonly referred to as Jua Kali, meaning ‘hot sun’. This industry includes the joining of metallic items or thermoplastics, with welders providing innovative products and solutions such as metallic doors, windows, boxes, hinges, buckets, aluminium cookware, chaff cutters, maize shellers, and machinery repair. Most welders in the Jua Kali sector are youth aged 18-35, who account for about 70 per cent of the workforce in welding workshops. Most of these youth enter the welding trade through informal apprenticeships, acquiring skills on the job from experienced artisans.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that the Jua Kali sector, where welding is a major trade, employs over 15 million people. Welding and metalwork are estimated to account for 20-25 per cent of these jobs, translating to approximately 3.003.75 million people engaged in welding-related activities. With increased investment, technological advancement, and training, the welding sub-sector could create up to 50,000 new jobs annually by 2030, particularly in the construction, infrastructure, automotive, and manufacturing industries.
Welding has been identified by the government as a critical area for driving economic recovery. It is a key focus in the Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027 and the Kenya Vision 2030. The sector is governed by policy and legislative framework that includes the National Industrialization Policy (2012), the Micro and Small Enterprises Act (2012), the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act (2013), and the National Skills Development Policy (2023). This notwithstanding, several gaps persist in the welding sub-sector, including limited technological adoption, low e-commerce uptake, gender disparities, inadequate skills development, and restricted access to financing.
The government’s Affordable Housing Programme aims to construct 200,000 housing units annually, creating significant demand for welding products. Associations such as Glory Steel, Aluminium, Fabricators, and Glassmart in Laikipia, and the Olendu Elders Association in Uasin Gishu, have benefited from contracts to supply fabricated products. Additionally, the implementation of Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) through the TVET Act (2014) has seen over 400 welders certified annually through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative, in collaboration with the ILO. This blog explores welding as a pathway to job creation in the Jua Kali industry.
Status of Employment in the Welding Sub-Sector
The welding value chain presents diverse employment opportunities across various stages, including sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing of equipment, on-site services, and post-welding activities.
Sourcing materials include metals such as steel and aluminum, and consumables such as gas, welding rods, electrodes, and filler materials. The metal and allied sector directly employs around 30,000 people, including those involved in the supply chain for welding materials (Kenya Association of Manufacturers, KAM 2022).
Manufacturing of the welding equipment segment includes the production of welding machines and accessories such as helmets and gloves. The KAM estimates that the manufacturing sector in Kenya employs around 300,000 people every year, with a portion engaged in the production of welding equipment. Although specific statistics for welding machines are limited, this niche provides essential jobs within the larger manufacturing sector.
Research and Development (R&D) opportunities exist in developing new welding techniques and processes, and standardization and certification. This creates jobs for researchers and engineers, driving innovation in the welding industry.
Welding services can be performed on-site (e.g., construction, repair, and maintenance) or in workshops. Approximately 300,000 to 500,000 individuals are engaged in metal fabrication, including welding (Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations). In the formal sector, larger fabrication plants employ about 50,000 welders.
Under distribution and logistics, the transport of raw materials and products is vital for the welding industry. About 300,000 persons are involved in the distribution of welding equipment and fabricated products.
Under end-use and application, the construction sector alone employs about 220,000 people, with an estimated 20,000-30,000 welders working in various capacities, such as pipeline welding and structural welding. Additionally, automotive repair shops employ around 150,000 people, with 10,000-15,000 welders specializing in vehicle body repairs.
The post-welding services, including the maintenance and repair of welded structures, along with training and support services, employ 10,000-15,000 individuals while recycling where scrap metal is often used employs around 20,000 people.
Challenges in Welding
- Inadequate technological adaptation: Many welders still rely on traditional welding methods, such as manual shielded-metal-arc welding, which limits productivity and the ability to compete internationally. There is minimal adaptation of advanced techniques such as robotic and laser welding in training institutions.
- Limited E-commerce uptake: Many welders in the informal sector struggle to market their products online, restricting their reach to broader markets. This hampers job creation, as many potential clients remain unaware of the products available.
- Gender disparities: Welding is perceived as a male-dominated field, and barriers such as cultural bias and lack of mentorship hinder women’s entry into the industry. Despite policy efforts, the participation of women in welding remains low.
Opportunities in Welding
- Expanding certification programmes: Expanding the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative can formalize the sector further. Certification enhances welders’ credibility and opens doors to higher-paying jobs.
- Presence of advanced technologies: Embracing new technologies such as friction stir welding and laser beam welding could improve product quality and market competitiveness, leading to increased demand for skilled welders.
- Promoting E-commerce and digital marketing: Government-supported training programmes in e-commerce could help welders market their products online, increasing job creation potential.
- Enhancing women participation: Targeted programmes such as scholarships and mentorship for women can help break down gender barriers, increasing diversity and expanding the pool of skilled welders.
Recommendations
Welding holds significant potential for job creation. To exploit the potential, it is important to enhance public-private partnerships, scale up certification programmes, provide training on e-commerce, and foster gender-sensitive training initiatives. These efforts will not only boost employment creation but also ensure that the welding sector is competitive and sustainable in the long run.
