Govt graduates over 70 TVET assessors to boost skills development
“Graduates should be able to solve everyday technical problems rather than rely on costly technicians. These assessors will help make that a reality.”
Assessors exhibit their work during the pass-out at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute in Namanve last week. Supported by a sh400m grant from the Belgian Development Agency, Enabel, the workshop trained 19 assessors from the world of work, seven UVTAB staff, and 55 from training institutions. (Courtesy Photo)
Industry representatives, including technical trainer Wefafa Ronarid from Plascon Uganda, praised the initiative, noting that it addresses the persistent skills gap between graduates and industry requirements.
MUKONO - Uganda has successfully graduated a new cohort of assessors from the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) during the second-phase assessors training workshop at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) in Namanve, Mukono district.
The milestone marks a major step in strengthening the country’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system and ensures that graduates are equipped with practical skills for the labour market.
Supported by a shillings 400 million grant from Enabel, the Belgian agency for international co-operation, the workshop trained 19 assessors from the world of work, seven UVTAB staff, and 55 from training institutions.
The diverse group of graduates now forms a skilled pool capable of implementing the new competency-based assessment framework across Uganda’s TVET sector.
UVTAB executive secretary Onesmus Oyesigye hailed the assessors for their achievement, emphasising the role they will play in bridging the gap between training institutions and industry.
“Our products are students, and these assessors are now equipped to ensure that what students learn matches the demands of the workplace,” Oyesigye said.
“Graduates should be able to solve everyday technical problems rather than rely on costly technicians. These assessors will help make that a reality.”
The assessors underwent intensive training on new terminology, evolving standards, and practical evaluation techniques, targeting fields such as architecture, agriculture, leather goods, catering, fisheries, forestry, fashion and design, electrical systems and electronics.
Applied learning
Deputy executive secretary in charge of curriculum development Jalia Nasaza emphasised competence-based training and applied learning.
“If you claim to be a trainer in any field, you must demonstrate the skills yourself. These assessors have now acquired the ability to evaluate students’ practical competence accurately,” she said.
Industry representatives, including technical trainer Wefafa Ronarid from Plascon Uganda, praised the initiative, noting that it addresses the persistent skills gap between graduates and industry requirements.
With this new cadre of trained assessors, Uganda’s TVET sector is better positioned to produce skilled, job-ready graduates who can meet the demands of a rapidly changing labour market.
The development comes against the backdrop growing reforms in the TVET sector.
Among some of these has been the merger of all TVET assessment bodies in the country, which has seen the Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board (UBTEB) and Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) combined into the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB).
Under the new dispensation, UVTAB’s mandate is to manage the national TVET curriculum, assessments, and examinations across a broader spectrum of technical and vocational disciplines, ensuring consistency and quality in skills development.
Previously, UBTEB dealt with formal TVET assessments (those which can yield academic progression) while DIT handled informal assessments (those where graduates target to have skills only, such as if one wants to become a baker).
The merger, which came into place in March, is aimed at streamlining operations in Uganda’s skills development sector.