Marketable skills, money in a short time

Sep 22, 2009

Robert Mugabe 33, brags about the skills he got from Kisubi Technical School just in six months. Mugabe, who had dropped out of school at Senior Four, went for a six months course in electrical engineering. He now owns a workshop.

By Jeff Lule

Robert Mugabe 33, brags about the skills he got from Kisubi Technical School just in six months. Mugabe, who had dropped out of school at Senior Four, went for a six months course in electrical engineering. He now owns a workshop.

Rogers Kasirye, the director of Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL), a vocational institute catering for the needy, located on Gayaza Road, Kampala, says technical schools instil different practical skills within a short a time.

“These institutions help students to become job creators unlike the academic institutions which produce job seekers. Vocational skills have a big role to play in people’s professions. That is why people go for internships,” Kasirye explains.

The institution imparts development skills, builds confidence and develops interpersonal relationship and knowledge needed for people to manage their own lives, thus creating jobs for others.

It trains the youth in saving and micro finance business skills and management. Kasirye says the institution focuses on marketable skills which are on high demand.

“We decided to give a chance to such people so they can contribute to the community,” Kasirye says. Kasirye says the current education system does not address the economic and social needs of the country.

“Today most schools train people to target white collar jobs yet most jobs are blue collar jobs.” Kasirye says 60% of children in Kampala are out of school. They have joined the labour market with no skill.

He says even the mainstream education is still under-facilitated and demotivated teachers. Planners in the education system and designers of the national curriculum focus on theoretical material. Many of the teachers and education officials are not exposed to different environments.

Education minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, says there are over 50 vocational and training institutions. Bitamazire says applied knowledge and skill empower students to create their own jobs.

Those who cannot make it to universities and other higher institutions can join vocational training institutions for more practical knowledge.

The Government is planning to construct at least one vocation institute in every sub county in the country.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});