Lira Tech College and Kenya Institute start course on heavy equipment handling

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The Uganda Technical College (UTC) Lira, in Partnership with the Kenya Institute of Highway and Building Technology (KIHBT), has trained 25 pioneer students in the Plant Operator Course.

A one-month training in the operation of the heavy road construction equipment held at the upgraded institution ended on Thursday, and students passed out by the school`s principal, Jacob Akunobere.   

Two years ago, the government upgraded UTC-Lira into a Centre of Excellence in the four specialized areas (road and bridge construction, material testing and survey).

Under the Uganda Skills Development Project (USDP), funded by the World Bank, it provided heavy road construction equipment such as excavators, graders, wheel loaders and digital surveying equipment, among others.

Students trained in plant operator course taking a group picture in a road they worked on in Kwania district on Thursday. (Credit: Patrick Okino)

The sh14b project also provided the construction of modern hostels for boys and girls with a capacity of 320 students.

Akunobere lauded the first batch of students for taking the initiative to pioneer this Technology at the college, though it was still a new program.

“The college now has enriched its level of academic products, which is a very big achievement for the college, and the entire Uganda, as UTC Lira is the first in the country to implement the Plant Operator Course,” he noted.

He said UTC shall make it mandatory for all the students graduating from the college to have undergone a driving course as an additional qualification on top of the primary course the student could have enrolled for.

“Driving skills are now a necessity, and it is good for a student to acquire this skill before graduation”, he emphasized.

According to the Deputy Principal, Esther Ajao, who coordinated the partnership, the training has also helped the college to achieve the dream of training instructors who would implement this activity.

She encouraged them to ensure a high level of competence in delivering quality training services to the college students henceforth.

Kennedy Olet, one of the students, said they were trained in how to operate a grader, wheel-loader, excavator and roller.

He added that most of the road equipment, according to the training, is not easy to use if you have not undergone any practical training.

He said he was happy with the skills acquired and will use them profitably since he was working with the Alebtong district local government.