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BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY

MANAGEMENT

MARVIN ODHIAMBO ODIWUOR

EE101/G/6873/19

HOST INSTITUTION: CHERET BUILDERS LIMITED

PERIOD: 5TH JUNE TO 5TH AUGUST, 2023

AN INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL AND BUILDING SCIENCES IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE IN
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT AT KIRINYAGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

4TH AUGUST 2023.

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the information given in this document is my original work and is based on

truth and cited on activities I undertook while on attachment.

Signature: Date: ________________

Marvin Odhiambo Odiwuor

EE101/G/6873/19

This attachment report has been submitted for examination with my approval as the university

supervisor

Signature: Date:_________________

Mr
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The development of this report took the effort, support and guidance of a number

of people whom I wish to thank. My deepest gratitude goes to the management and

staff of CHERET BUILDERS LIMITED COMPANY for giving me the chance to

be part of them and to train with them.

I would also like to thank Kirinyaga University College for giving me the chance

to have practical work and better my skills with theoretical knowledge.

I am thankful to the site supervisor, Eng. Sydney Kibet who has been instrumental

and supportive in the learning process of my attachment.

I would also like to thank my family members for their unwavering support and

prayers which contributed to the success of my attachment, and throughout the

period of my study for the course.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is about the industrial attachment experience that I have undertaken

during the period of 5th June to 5th August 2023. In this report, I have listed the

overall aspects of the experience gained and summarized what is expected in the

next chapters of the report. This report has four chapters. The first chapter

discusses the areas covered through the attachment period and new skills learnt. I

have also discussed the projects I participated in while undertaking the attachment.

In the second chapter, I’ve discussed challenges encountered and problems faced.

The third chapter includes recommendations and suggested improvements that can

be done to make the program worthwhile.

The fourth chapter contains conclusions.

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Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...............................................................................................................3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................4

Introduction......................................................................................................................................7

Organogram of the attaching firm...................................................................................................7

1.2: CORE ACTIVITIES OF CHERET BUIDERS LTD •.............................................................8

1.3. VISION, MISSION STATEMENT, AND CORE VALUES OF CHERET BUILDERS.......9

1.3.1. VISION STATEMENT.........................................................................................................9

CHAPTER ONE............................................................................................................................13

Areas covered................................................................................................................................13

a. Form work..............................................................................................................................13

b. Site visits and surveys............................................................................................................13

c. Construction documentation...................................................................................................14

d. Safety procedure.....................................................................................................................14

e. Project management...............................................................................................................14

f. Hands-on construction task....................................................................................................14

g. Reinforcement bars.................................................................................................................15

h. Mixing concrete......................................................................................................................16

i. Transporting & placing..........................................................................................................17

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j. Classes of concrete.................................................................................................................17

k. Curing of concrete..................................................................................................................18

l. Batching..................................................................................................................................18

m. Calculation of individual materials used............................................................................18

Learning outcomes.........................................................................................................................19

CHAPTER TWO...........................................................................................................................20

Challenges faced............................................................................................................................20

How the challenges were solved....................................................................................................21

RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................22

CHAPTER FOUR.........................................................................................................................23

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................23

REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24
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Introduction

The purpose of this report is to detail the activities, projects, and experiences encountered during
my industrial attachment at Cheret builders limited. The attachment aimed to broaden my
knowledge and understanding of the building and construction industry while developing
practical skills to prepare for my future career.

Organogram of the attaching firm

Cheret builders limited is a renowned construction company with a strong reputation for

delivering high-quality projects in the building and construction sector. It specializes in various

types of construction, including residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. The

company's commitment to excellence and adherence to industry best practices made it an ideal

place for me to gain practical experience.

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The company was founded by Joshua Kibet to carry out research on construction. It is located in

Nakuru. The institution expanded significantly during the ensuing years, and as a result, an

administration complex and an increase in employees were established. As a result, the institute

has grown and numerous divisions have been created to support its daily operations.

 The institution expanded significantly during the ensuing years, and as a result, an

administration complex, larger laboratories, and an increase in employees were

established. As a result, the institute has grown and other divisions have been created to

support its ongoing operations

1.2: CORE ACTIVITIES OF CHERET BUIDERS LTD •

 To fully get our clients' perspectives and discover any unspoken requirements, our team

of technical experts pays close attention to owner assets.

 Information analysis and research to meet client demands on site circumstances,

governing laws, and the local environment.

 As industry experts in construction, they offer specialized assistance for facility and

business investment planning

 The services offered by Cheret Builders Limited are designed to ensure that users can

access our project buildings in a secure manner.

In order to assure the use of premium-quality materials and improve client satisfaction, our

quality assurance testing is done at every stage of the construction process.

To ensure the comfortable, long-term usage of our project repair and maintenance options.
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1.3. VISION, MISSION STATEMENT, AND CORE VALUES OF CHERET
BUILDERS

1.3.1. VISION STATEMENT.

The vision statement of Cheret builders is;

To be the best performing institution in construction research and innovation for improved

human shelter and primate conservation.

1.3.2. MISSION STATEMENT.

To improve human shelter through advances in construction research and development through

responsible utilization scarce resources.

1.3.3. CORE VALUES OF CHERET BUILDERS

Cheret builders limited is striving to create an organization that will foster:

1. Research integrity and ethics.

2. Human care and welfare.

3. Total quality management.

4. Local and international collaboration.

5. Teamwork

6. Commitment to excellence through professionalism.

7. Corporate citizenship.
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8. Adherence to good corporate governance.

1.4. ORGANISATION STRUCTURE OF CHERET BUILDERS

The management and administration of day-to-day activities of cheret builders resides in the

office of the Director. The overall responsibility for policy and general guidance is vested on the

board of directors and the Director General/C.E.O of the company. The institute has international

advisory board to advice on various aspects of research projects. The institute has different

departments which facilitates its day-to-day activities as shown in its structure.

1.5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE KEY DEPARTMENTS IN

CHERET BUILDERS.

The following are the departments at IPR and their duties and responsibilities.

1. Administration and human resource department-responsible for coordinating the

development, welfare and retention of human resources. It offers administration

support to cheret builders research division.

2. Finance and audit departments-working in conjunction with the finance office. This

section is responsible for maintaining the accounting and financial management

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services i.e. income and expenditure management, preparation of annual budgets and

receipts of revenue from external and internal sources.

3. Procurement and supplies department-mandated to procure quality goods and

services at competitive prices and operates through a procurement committee which

manages the whole process of procurement.it deals with the purchase of goods and

services.

4. Public relations and marketing-its roles are interdependent, helps to manage the

reputation of the institute. Helps in cultivating favorable relations for organization and

its products and services.

5. Information and communication technology department-to render computer-based

and telephone services in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

6. Physical operations department-manages the entire infrastructure in the institute.

7. Security department-provides the safety of all the staffs, visitors and all the facilities

within the institute.

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CHAPTER ONE

Areas covered

During the three months period of attachment, I was able to acquire knowledge and skills which

formed the bedrock of my future career development. The strategies learnt in construction

management are vital in terms of my career progression. I also learnt the various processes and

elements of a building structure, particularly in reinforcement of various aspects of a building

such as floors and columns.

The various aspects of building and construction that I learnt are:

a. Form work

Form work is a polygonal mold of steel or timber that are used to give the required shape for

fresh concrete. Timber formwork is used when casting the floor slab as well as other slabs.

Metallic sheet molds can also be used as formwork

b. Site visits and surveys

I participated in various site visits and surveys, which exposed me to different construction

methods and techniques. I learned to conduct site inspections, analyze project requirements, and

understand the importance of accurate measurements and documentation.

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c. Construction documentation

I assisted in preparing construction documentation, including drawings, quantity estimates, and

project reports. This experience enhanced my technical drafting skills and provided me with

insights into project planning and execution.

d. Safety procedure

Safety is of utmost importance in the construction industry. I received comprehensive training on

safety regulations, personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency protocols. I actively

participated in safety briefings and ensured strict adherence to safety measures on-site.

e. Project management

I had the opportunity to shadow the project management team and witnessed how they

coordinated construction activities, managed resources, and dealt with unexpected challenges.

This exposure improved my understanding of effective project management practices.

f. Hands-on construction task

Under the guidance of skilled workers, I engaged in hands-on construction tasks such as brick

laying, concrete pouring, and carpentry. This practical experience enhanced my understanding of

construction techniques and the importance of precision in execution.

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g. Reinforcement bars

Reinforcement bars also called reinforcement steel is a steel bar or mesh of steel wires used in
reinforced concrete structures and masonry structures to strengthen and hold the concrete in
tension and to increase tensile strength of concrete. In our case, the steel used were millimeters
10 and 12 (D10 and D12 respectively) and they were mild steel plain.
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h. Mixing concrete

The mixing operation consists of rotation or stirring by concrete mixers. The concrete can also be

mixed manually by use of spade,the objective being to come up with a hormogenous mixture of

cement paste and to blend all the ingredients of the concrete. We used a concrete mixture to mix

the concrete.
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i. Transporting & placing

This refers to the transferring of concrete mixture from the mixing plant/mixer machine to the

construction site. ready mixed concrete must be placed and delivered before it sets out as it sets

out quickly thus reducing its workability and also to avoid reducing the quality of wet concrete

by adding water which washes away the cement. In our case,we used wheelbarrows to transport

the wet concrete, as illustrated below

j. Classes of concrete

I learnt and interacted with the different classes of concrete. There are different classes of

concrete based on strength of the concrete as a consequence of the ratio used in mixing it during

casting. We used concrete class 15 (1:3:6) when casting the blinding for the base of the RCC

tank. We used concrete of class 20 (1: 1.5 :3) when casting the floor slab of the RCC tank.I also

learnt that class 25 of concrete has a mixing ratio of 1:1:2. The higher the class, the higher the
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strength of the concrete. It is very important to observe this ratios so as not to compromise on the

quality of cast concrete, which would otherwise lead to leaking of the tank. There are other

classes of concrete with various mixing proportions also.

k. Curing of concrete

Curing is the process of controlling the rate of moisture loss from concrete to ensure an

uninterrupted hydration of concrete after it has been cast. Curing also helps maintain an adequate

temperature of concrete in its early stages, as this directly affects the rate of hydration of cement

and eventually the strength gains of concrete. Concrete gains strength by hydration. Therefore

curing is a vital process in ensuring that we end up with the required strength of the concrete. In

our site, the floor slab was cured for a period of two weeks after it was casted.

l. Batching

This is the process of measuring concrete mix ingredients either by volume or by mass and

introducing them into the mixture. The proportions of various ingredients are determined by

proper mix design. In our case,just like I’ve mentioned under classes of concrete, we used a ratio

of 1:3:6 for class 15 concrete and a ratio of 1: 1.5 : 3 for class 20 concrete .

m. Calculation of individual materials used

I also learnt how to apply volumes ,mass and density in calculation f the individual materials

required in terms on tonnage .

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Learning outcomes

The industrial attachment provided invaluable learning outcomes, including:

Enhanced technical skills in construction drafting, surveying, and hands-on tasks.

Improved knowledge of construction materials, methods, and project management.

Developed communication and teamwork skills through interactions with professionals from
diverse backgrounds.

Gained practical insights into the importance of safety measures on construction sites.
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CHAPTER TWO

Challenges faced

During the attachment, I encountered a few challenges, such as;

 Adapting to a dynamic work environment and adjusting to the physical demands of

construction tasks.

 Poorly maintained machines and equipment - the mixer machine that we were using was

poorly maintained. It broke down a few times thus inconveniencing the casting process

 Casual laborers striking - Late payments of the casual laborers leading to them downing

the tools on a number of occasions.

 Late procurement of materials thus slowing down the construction process.

 Lack of appropriate safety equipment and clothing (safety boots, overall and safety

helmets).
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How the challenges were solved

 In the case where the casual laborers downed their tools, the contractor was forced to give

in to their demands and pay them double payments for the work done, which is an

inconvenience on the side of the contractor

 The site agent raised the issue of late procurement and delivery of materials to the site

and there was an improvement on the same

 The machine was serviced and repaired and was able to carry on the remaining work till

we finally finished casting the floor slab.

 The contractor was forced to outsource for labor from the neighboring town rather than

using the locally available laborers who were scarce and unwilling to work

However, these challenges provided opportunities for personal and professional growth,

teaching me resilience and adaptability.

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CHAPTER THREE

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on my experiences, I recommend the following:

 Encourage more industry-academia collaborations to provide students with diverse

exposure.

 Emphasize the importance of safety training and adherence to regulations in the

construction curriculum.

 Promote practical hands-on training to complement theoretical learning in the building

and construction field.

 The university should also organize so that we learn both the aspects of management and

construction by liaising with the employees and giving us the chance to get the exposure

needed.

 The machines and equipment used should be maintained and serviced regularly to avoid

inconveniences and to save on time used in project execution.

 The contractor should ensure that everyone within the site is putting on the right safety

wear as per the requirement, so as to avoid injuries to persons in the site

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CHAPTER FOUR

Conclusion

The industrial attachment at CHERET BUILDERS LIMITED was an enriching experience that

complemented my academic studies in building and construction. The hands-on exposure to

construction projects, combined with the guidance of experienced professionals, significantly

contributed to my personal and professional growth. I am confident that the skills and knowledge

acquired during this attachment will serve as a strong foundation for my future career in the

building and construction industry.

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REFERENCES

www.cheretbuilders.org.ke