Gov't starts program to employ jobless graduates
Aug 24, 2017
Government and private entities will be required to recruit unemployed youth to enable them acquire on-job skills while paying them negotiated wages.
Minister for Gender Labour and social Development, Janat Mukwaya(L), Minister of State for Higher Education John C Muyingo(C) and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and social development Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana in a discussion during high level meeting on the National Apprenticeship framework for Uganda at the Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala on August 24, 2017. Photo by Tony Rujuta
LOBOUR
Government through the ministry of gender, labour and social development has started a job placement program which will target the unemployed graduates.
The national apprenticeship program, which will majorly target unemployed graduates, is being supported by the International Labour Organization and the Norwegian Agency for International Development Cooperation, and it awaits cabinet and parliamentary approval for its commencement.
Left - right: International Labour Organisation Country Director Mary Kawar, minister for Gender Labour and social Development Janat Mukwaya, minister of State for Higher Education John C Muyingo and ministry of Gender, Labour and social development Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana during the meeting
In a consultative meeting that happened today at Imperial Royale Hotel, government ministries and agencies have endorsed the program to be implemented to address the high rate of unemployment in the country.
Government and private entities will be required to recruit unemployed youth to enable them acquire on-job skills while paying them negotiated wages.
The ministry for gender, labour and social development believes the initiative will equip Uganda's labour force with the necessary hands on experience/work experience which will improve their employability.
The stake holders that attended meeting
The ILO director for East African Countries Mary Kawar in Tanzania where they are supporting implementation of a similar program, 90% of unemployed people enrolled on the apprenticeship program eventually get jobs.
There was however some contention on whether it is necessary for the ministry of gender, labour and social development to create a new structure for the program or it is incorporated under the Skilling Uganda Program which the ministry of education is already implementing.