In a significant step towards addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Uganda, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) joined forces with the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) at the Ministry of Education and Sports. The result of this collaboration was a recent graduation ceremony that saw 700 young individuals equipped with skills tailored to meet the demands of the job market.
The event, which took place in Kampala, marked a milestone achievement in the government’s commitment to enhancing youth skilling and training. These efforts were part of the larger framework initiated by President Yoweri Museveni in 2020, allocating Shs130 billion for the construction of 21 zonal industrial hubs across the country.
The zonal industrial hubs, established by State House, aimed to empower and train 12,600 youths annually under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling. This initiative focused on generating employment opportunities and battling the issue of unemployment head-on, as emphasized by State House Comptroller Barekye.
The recent graduation ceremony featured graduates from various fields, including fruit processing, vanilla growing and packing, plumbing and electrification, carpentry and joinery, liquid and bar soap making, mushroom growing, hairdressing, effluent extraction and treatment, baking technology, and media, and photography. These skills were carefully chosen to align with the market’s demand, ensuring that the graduates were well-prepared to enter the workforce.
During the ceremony, Odrek Rwabwogo, Chairman of PACEID, delivered a poignant message highlighting the urgency of investing in training institutions. He stressed the need to develop soft skills and certifications that would gain global recognition, allowing African youths to compete effectively in the global job market. Rwabwogo’s words resonated with the audience as they contemplated Africa’s path to industrial and tertiary skills advancement.
The event also drew attention to the broader scope of PACEID’s mission. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), PACEID recently launched an export preparedness training program. This program aimed to assist Ugandan exporters in navigating the complexities of the highly competitive US market, with its $18 trillion in consumer expenditure.
The commissioning of the export preparedness training program was attended by prominent figures, including Mrs. Suzan Muhwezi of the AGOA country Response unit, Mrs. Olive Kigongo, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Cleopas Ndolerire, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives’ Commissioner for External Trade. The presence of Mrs. Henrietta Wamala, President of UNNA, and Uganda’s Trade Representative on Coffee in Chicago Cody Lorance underscored the significance of this initiative on the global stage.
As State House plans to extend zonal presidential industrial hubs to each district in Uganda, the future looks promising for disadvantaged youth seeking vocational skills training. Graduates from these hubs are awarded a Level One Certificate of Uganda Vocational Qualifications, an essential credential examined by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), Ministry of Education and Sports. This certification not only validates their skills but also positions them for success in the job market.
The graduation ceremony represents a pivotal moment in Uganda’s efforts to equip its youth with skills that align with market demand. It reflects the commitment of government institutions, organizations like PACEID, and international partners like UNDP to create a brighter future for Uganda’s youth while strengthening the country’s presence on the global economic stage.
