Uganda Establishes Sector Committees to Boost Apprenticeships and Curb Youth Unemployment

The Ugandan government is taking a proactive step to tackle widespread youth unemployment by inaugurating Sector Apprenticeship Committees. These committees, established for industries including Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, and Construction, are designed to bolster the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP).

The core objective is to strengthen workplace training, ensuring that the skills graduates acquire closely match the demands of the labor market. This initiative comes at a time when many young Ugandans face considerable delays in finding employment after completing their education, with an average waiting period of 31 months.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) highlighted that a major challenge in Uganda’s labor market is the disconnect between vocational training and employer needs. Graduates often lack the practical, on-the-job experience essential for transitioning into formal employment.

The NAP, initiated in 2018, aims to equip young Ugandans, aged 16 to 35, with structured workplace learning opportunities. The program also supports Uganda’s ambitious economic growth targets by developing a skilled workforce for priority and export-oriented sectors.

Members of the newly formed committees will be instrumental in identifying industry-specific training needs, promoting employer involvement, facilitating apprenticeship placements, and ensuring the quality of training provided. Their strategic guidance is expected to create a more robust and responsive apprenticeship system.

Early successes of the NAP have shown promising results, with 984 apprentices completing training primarily in hospitality and tourism-related fields. The program boasts a high employment rate, with approximately 79.6% of graduates securing formal jobs. Additionally, graduate volunteer placements have also shown strong job conversion rates.

These new committees are anticipated to foster stronger ties between industries and educational institutions, ultimately expanding the avenues for young people to gain valuable practical experience and secure meaningful employment.

Source: Nile Post