Over 500 youths get vocational training skills
A total of 575 youths have graduated with vocational skills in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, welding and electric installation from Datamine Business Institute and Ntinda Vocational Training Institute, all in Kampala.
The 575 are part of the “Twekozese Programme” funded jointly to a tune of Shs 6 billion by KCB bank Uganda and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), to boost Uganda’s available skilled human capital.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Kampala Dr. Patrick Byakatonda, the head of the Directorate of Industrial Training in the Ministry of Education and Sports, said vocational skills are so much needed now as the world faces a challenge of unemployment.
He said vocational skills are the answer to the challenge.
“The Government of Uganda will continue to support such initiatives because they will lead to the social-economic transformation of our country,” Dr Byakatonda said.
“We believe that the skills and knowledge they have gained will enable them to make a positive impact in their communities and contribute to the growth of the Ugandan economy and transform their lives.”
The Twekozese Programme seeks to create self-employment and establish enterprises among unskilled and semi-skilled youth in Uganda.
The programme focuses on transforming youth micro-businesses in the informal sector into big viable ventures which can employ at least five other young people with an aim of creating 250,000 jobs over five years.
It is expected to further support the government agenda of solving the youth unemployment in Uganda as well as promoting the Sustainable Development goals on gender equality and decent work and economic growth.
As part of this programme, a total of 2,165 youths were enrolled and skilled in three cohorts administered by 13 vocational training institutions across Uganda.
Of the 2,165 beneficiaries, 32% are females while 5% are people living with disabilities.
