Two healthcare courses, two different price points and timelines — here's how to pick the right one.
"CNA" and "Caregiver" both lead to healthcare and home-care jobs, both are in-demand, and both are offered side by side at MTTI — which is exactly why so many people get confused about which one to enroll in.
They're not the same course. They lead to different job titles, take different amounts of time, cost different amounts, and have different entry requirements. Here's the real comparison, using MTTI's current 2026 fees and duration.
| CNA | Caregiver | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Health Care Support Services / Certified Nursing Assistant | Caregiving (Short Course) |
| Duration | 6 Months | 3 Months |
| Fee | KES 59,000 | KES 32,000 |
| Entry requirement | KCSE, minimum grade D | Any KCSE grade |
| Accreditation | TVETA Accredited | TVET CDACC Aligned |
| German bonus | Free German classes included | Free German + Computer Essentials included |
CNA is the more clinical of the two. You're trained to work under nurses and clinical staff in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes — vital signs, patient hygiene and mobility support, infection control, basic clinical procedures, and record-keeping. It's a longer, more in-depth program because it's preparing you for a role inside a formal healthcare facility, alongside licensed medical staff.
Caregiving is shorter and more home/community-focused. You're trained in elderly care, basic first aid, client hygiene and mobility assistance, companionship care, and household health support — the skills needed to care for a client in their own home, in a care facility, or as a live-in or visiting caregiver, in Kenya or abroad.
This is often the deciding factor. CNA requires a minimum KCSE grade of D, since it's a more academically-structured, clinically-oriented program. Caregiver has no minimum grade requirement — it's open to any KCSE holder, which makes it the more accessible starting point if your grades weren't strong, or if you want to get into paid work faster.
Yes — and many students do, in sequence. Starting with Caregiving (3 months, lower cost, no grade barrier) gets you into paid work faster, and the caregiving experience on your CV is a genuine advantage if you later enroll in CNA to move into a more clinical, hospital-based role. Both include free German language lessons at MTTI, which is a real plus if you're considering caregiver or nursing-support opportunities in Germany or other German-speaking countries.
Both programs are taught hands-on at MTTI's Sagaas Centre campus in Eldoret (TVETA/PRIVATE/TVC/0023/2026), with flexible payment plans available on either course.
Compare course details and apply directly for CNA or Caregiver at MTTI Eldoret.
View CNA Course & Fees