Ugandans encouraged going for vocational training

Mar 25, 2016

“It enables one to become employable at any level in Uganda or elsewhere. This kind of education is practical and students can apply to work in the formal sector or create their own jobs,” he said.

The state minister for finance, Fred Omach, has said it is important for Ugandans to undergo vocational training because it enables one to acquire hands-on skills necessary in the job market.

“It enables one to become employable at any level in Uganda or elsewhere. This kind of education is practical and students can apply to work in the formal sector or create their own jobs,” he said.

Vocational education refers to a course of study that prepares individuals for jobs that require practical skills.

 



The minister made these statements last week during the first graduation ceremony of Axial International College at Hotel Africana. Twenty students graduated with higher national diplomas in business administration and foundation programmes.

Omach commended Axial for introducing the British higher education system to Uganda and called for more private sector involvement in the sector.  

“As government, we continue to encourage more private partners to invest in education. When you invest in education, we only tax the profits you make out of the investment,” he said.

Vocational education in fact is closely related to the age-old apprenticeship system of learning.

 
But with the development of the economy in Uganda and other countries, the labour market became more specialised. There is a high demand of higher levels of skill both in the government and business sector.

Meanwhile, during an interview, the Deputy Principal of Axial International College, Edwin Agaba, said Uganda needs to revise its curriculum to provide necessary vocational skills.

“The Uganda curriculum has to change because we offer irrelevant courses that are not beneficial to our population. We need to get back to the drawing board to offer courses that are more vocational in nature to meet employers’ needs,” he said.

 randaunds of xial nternational ollege officials Grandaunds of Axial International College officials

 
Vocational education is traditionally non-academic in nature and specific to a particular trade, occupation or vocation. Because it is vocation based, it is called vocational education.

Until the end of the twentieth century, vocational education focused on specific trades such as automobile mechanic or welder and was, therefore, associated with the low social classes. This explains the stigma vocational education suffers and is battling to overcome.

 

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