Every year on 1st May, Uganda commemorates
International Labour day; a day where working classes call for action for
improved employment conditions and social justice issues. Uganda has adopted
the theme: ‘Skilling Ugandans for increased labour productivity:
A shared responsibility for this year’s celebrations that are being hosted at
St Peter's College in Tororo district.
H. E. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the chief guest.
In honour of the celebrations, more than 60 MPs are to be awarded and these
include; Hon Sarah Opendi, Tororo district woman MP, Hon Adbu Katuntu MP
Bugweri County, Hon Vicent Bagiire MP Bunya County, Hon Badda Fred MP Bujumba
County and Hon John Bosco Mubito MP of Budiope West County.
The 2008 Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training
(BTVET) Act last year adopted the Skilling Uganda
strategic plan in a bid to address major challenges identified
regarding relevance, quality, access and equity, management and financial
sustainability of BTVET.
The plan
denotes an emphasis on skills development where students are trained in
vocational skills such as wood and metal work, building and pottery among
others.
In his
recently published book, ‘Vocational Training, an investment for the future’,
Eng Dr Nathan Muyobo, the chairperson of Lugogo Vocational Institute writes
that the answer to Uganda’s quest for a knowledgeable and skilled work force is
dynamic and relevant vocational training.
He notes
that good vocational training is expected to be in a practical working
environment which results in the promotion of personal development,
particularly in making the individual develop the capacity for working
independently.
Therefore
the crux of good vocational training should aim at providing trainees with
capacity to transfer from one job to another in the same trade, provide them
with basic entrepreneurial skills for possible self employment and the capacity
to cope with new challenges.
He also says
that for this training to be more effective, knowledge about starting a
business, accounting and management have to be taught.
Challenges;
Eng Muyobo
notes that there is a growing preference among the youth to strive to continue studying
up to higher institutions like universities which they envisage as being a
better way of preparing themselves for professional life.
“Vocational
training therefore faces the challenge of proving its worth as an equally
positive and strong route to future professional prosperity and this is not
realised early enough as many of those who have passed through universities
fail to find employment after graduating,” he writes.
Another
challenge is inadequate trainers to assist trainees with appropriate skills. Consequently,
training often focuses on low-cost skills training which mismatches the current
and emerging labour needs.
During the
recently released 2012 BTVET results, Prof Eriabu Lugujjo, chairman, Industrial
Training Council said the system is chocking with limited Master trainers in
major training institutes. Consequently, training often focuses on low-cost
skills training which mismatches the current and emerging labour needs.
Constrained by lack of marketable skills and formal sector jobs, most youths therefore
engage in the informal sector or agriculture-related work.
“The
government should improve and retain trainers in order to upgrade their
competencies and encourage students to partake vocational education,” Prof
Lugujjo said.
On a
positive note however, Jinja Training Vocational College has been rehabilitated
and in August the first batch of in-service trainers will be admitted.
BTVET is
currently provided by 133 public institutions, about 600 private training
service providers and 17 apprenticeship programmes. With USE giving primary
school leavers the option to attend vocational training for free at eligible
institutions, BTVET enrolment has soared in recent years with female enrolment
currently at 40%.
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