Vocational training enhances career development and employment

By Anthony Olwoch

A week ago, the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results were released by the Ministry of Education. Majority of students are probably excited about advancing to the next level of education. The choice of subject combination is critical for many who are set to join A-level education. However, many students and their parents are in the valley of decision making as to which career path to take in the wake of the increasing level of unemployment in the nation.

With many graduates roaming the streets in search for jobs without relevant experience and skills that empower them to be relevant to the job market or to become job creators, the option of vocational training may be worth the venture.

Importance

According to Sam Owor, the academic registrar of Kampala Polytechnic Mengo, the high need for technical education is important for any growing economy. The relevance of vocational education can therefore not be over-emphasised. Technical people, for that matter, are relevant to the development process of any nation, especially for Uganda as a developing nation.

Though vocational training is crucial, there has always been a misconception about it. “The misconception is linked to the history of our education system. The British education system that forms the fibre of our nation’s education system, has nurtured and is nurturing people who are seeking white collar jobs,” Owor explains. He adds that the system has brain-washed students, parents and scholars alike to think that white collar jobs are what defines an individual to be a person of substance.
According to Benedicto Kiriisa, the principal of Kisubi Domestic Science Training School, the mindset is that only people who have failed in academics and life are fit for vocational training. For this reason, many have been and are courses and studying with a focus of only becoming employed.

George Mwesigye, the principal of Lugogo Vocational Training Institute, stresses that it is vocational courses that impart skills which are on high demand in the job market, or empowers one to become self-reliant.

“As the economy thrives and the population grows, there is an increasing demand for people trained and empowered with relevant core skills. That is, people who can use their skills to meet the demands of the society by providing solutions that are pertinent,” Owor says.

Hands on skills

Kirrisa notes that there is a high demand for technical people in the construction industry, electronics, motor vehicle repairs, wood working, metal works, bricklaying, plumbing and water engineering. Other training courses include tailoring and fashion design, cookery and catering and hair dressing. These are hands on skills that the economy of any nation needs to grow from one level to another.

“As compared to courses at universities that are artsrelated, vocational training is relevant in the sense that it engages people in productive activities that are on demand,” Owor says.

He adds that some, if not the majority of students, enrol to study any course, a flat course or one that is not relevant to our Ugandan job market, at university because they lack guidance on how vocational training can impart relevant hands-on skills.

It is important for students and parents to know that when one enrols for vocational training, one can later upgrade to the level of a degree.

Kiriisa explains that in the past, efforts to increase awareness about the importance of vocational education are beginning to yield results.

“There is a slight change from Government in this regard. The Government has introduced a non-formal training programme free of charge to help the youth and interested unemployed graduates to acquire skills and become self-reliant,” he says. Kiriisa adds that the Ministry of Education has introduced vocational training subjects in schools. However, government needs to equip vocational training institutions.

According to owor, there is need for exhibition of vocational training, for instance in trade fairs, to create awareness of its relevance and reform people’s attitude towards alternative education programmes.