'Phase out programmes not demand-driven'

Training institutions have been asked to phase out all programmes that are not demand-driven and instead focus on courses which are marketable.

This was a call made by the deputy director of the department of BTVET, Sam Jasper Masolo.

He said this will address the problem of youth unemployment in the country, citing an example of a student who had done a course in catering and hotel management and had gone on top start her own restaurant.

Speaking during the 23rd graduation ceremony of YWCA, Masolo urged parents to take their children to vocational centres, saying that such institutions offer good programmes that are relevant to the labour market.

"We are encouraging parents not to shun skills-training centres as it has been in the past. Our education system is reforming and we are going to focus on skills that are required in the labour market."

 Masolo (left) talks to the YWCA board chairperson Joyce Werikhe at the graduation 

Masolo added: "Today's labour market requires people who have technical and vocational competences, so a person who is well trained can be employed or self-employed."

Currently there are 100 technical institutions in Uganda and the government is planning to increase the number of these institutions where every sub-county will have a technical institute.

About 614 students graduated in different disciplines with diplomas and certificates in hotel and institutional catering, business administration, early childhood development, accountancy, computer applications, counseling and HIV/AIDS management and fashion and design.

 
Jennifer Ochwo, the executive director YWCA Uganda, urged those who graduated to start businesses instead of looking for white-collar jobs.

"When our students leave here they create jobs for themselves and if they are hired their employers never complain about them. The skills they get are good enough," she said.