First jobs · 5 min read
Industrial attachment vs internship in Kenya
Compare attachment and internship notices, check course and graduation requirements, and agree on supervision, dates and learning evidence before accepting.
Attachment and internship are useful search terms, but the programme notice determines who can apply and what the placement includes. An attachment often relates to a course requirement, while an internship may target graduates or another defined group. Employers use the labels differently, so read the eligibility and duties before choosing.
Begin with your current student or graduate status
If your course requires an attachment, ask your institution for the approved duration, learning outcomes, assessment requirements and dates. Then compare an employer’s notice with those requirements. A placement with an attractive title may not satisfy your course if the dates or duties do not fit.
If you have completed your studies, read the internship notice for graduation-window or qualification conditions. Do not claim to be a current student merely to qualify for a student-only placement. Keep your expected or actual completion date accurate across the CV and form.
Compare the two notices using the same questions
Write down eligibility, dates, duties, location, supervision and any stated pay or support. Do not assume that every internship is paid, that an attachment is always unpaid or that either leads automatically to permanent employment. The specific written terms answer those questions.
For a public-service internship, begin with the official PSC programme notice and application route. For a company placement, use that employer’s careers page. An old intake announcement may remain online after the deadline and should not be treated as open.
Prepare evidence appropriate to the placement
For an attachment, relevant coursework, projects and practical training can explain what you are ready to learn and contribute. For a graduate internship, connect your course and projects to the stated duties. Use the employer’s document list and include an institution letter only where requested or required by your course.
A simple CV should show genuine dates and skills. If you have not held a job, label course work as course work. A placement application becomes more credible when you can explain your role in a project rather than presenting it as paid professional experience.
Agree on supervision and learning records
Before accepting a course placement, confirm who will supervise your work and who can complete the institution’s required assessment. Ask about the work you will do, normal hours and the process for raising a question. A placement is harder to complete well when nobody has agreed who is responsible for these tasks.
Keep a private learning record if your institution requires one. Describe tasks and learning without copying confidential employer or customer information. Ask permission before including workplace material in a report or portfolio.
Eligibility and qualification: Dates and duration: Institution approval needed: Daily duties and supervisor: Assessment or logbook requirements: Stipend/support stated in writing: Travel, accommodation and other costs: Application deadline and confirmation:
Check whether the arrangement is workable
Think through travel time, data or equipment needs and any course obligations. Confirm the actual location and whether attendance is in person. A remote placement still needs clear supervision, communication and acceptable work arrangements.
If a stipend or transport support is mentioned, ask the amount, payment schedule and conditions in writing. Do not base a decision on an informal assumption that costs will be covered or that a full-time offer is guaranteed afterwards.
Finish the application and keep the record
Follow the employer’s current portal, email or form instructions. Save the submitted CV, advert and acknowledgement. A message asking whether placements exist is an enquiry; it is not automatically an application to a declared intake.
If selected, read the written placement terms and get any required institution approval before the start date. At completion, request the agreed assessment or completion record through the proper route and update your CV with the actual work you performed.
Agree on the work and the learning record
For an attachment linked to your course, confirm the institution’s requirements for a placement letter, supervisor, logbook and assessment before accepting. Then compare them with what the host can provide. A useful arrangement needs someone who can assign work and review progress, not just permission to spend time on the premises.
For an internship, record the programme’s eligibility, duration, duties and any stipend or allowance in the offer. Ask who approves leave, travel and expenses and what evidence of completion is provided. A placement can build experience without guaranteeing an employment offer afterwards. At the end, keep an honest record of tasks and results that you can later explain in a CV or interview.
Sources and further reading
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Frequently asked questions
Can an attachment satisfy my college requirement automatically?
Confirm it with your institution and host. The placement must meet the course’s supervision and assessment requirements.
Are all internships paid?
Read the programme notice and written offer. Do not assume a stipend where no amount or payment term is stated.
Is a stipend the same as a normal salary grade?
Not necessarily. Use the programme’s own terms and compare like-for-like pay periods.
Does completing a placement guarantee a job?
No. Future employment depends on the employer’s recruitment and any written commitments.
What should I include in a CV afterwards?
Describe the real duties, tools and work you completed, including supervised contributions. Do not relabel a short placement as a permanent role.