Enabel Champions Skills Development for Ugandan Youth Amidst Unemployment Concerns

As Uganda joins the global observance of World Youth Skills Day, Enabel, an agency for development cooperation, is highlighting the critical need for a skills-based approach to tackle youth unemployment. The organization warns that a significant mismatch between the skills acquired in educational institutions and the actual needs of the labor market continues to leave many young Ugandans jobless.

David Maraka, an expert at Enabel, pointed out that over 700,000 young people graduate annually, yet a substantial number struggle to find employment. This challenge stems from a gap between what is taught and what employers require. Enabel is actively working to bridge this divide by focusing on both the supply (training institutions) and demand (employers) sides of the job market.

“We are urging employers to invest in equipping young workers with job-specific skills while encouraging training institutions to tailor their programmes to industry needs,” Maraka stated. This dual approach aims to ensure that young Ugandans gain practical competencies that enhance their employability.

African Mushroom Growers, a company that has been training and employing youth since 2010, shares this vision. Managing Director Abel Kiddu emphasized that investing in youth employment is crucial as they are the engine of the economy. Through initiatives like the “We Work Project,” funded by Enabel, the company provides training, though Kiddu notes that some entrants lack fundamental practical skills and require extensive mentorship.

Kiddu urged the private sector to expand internship and employment opportunities and to partner with the government in narrowing the education-labor market gap. Beneficiary Winfred Katwusigye, who joined African Mushroom Growers with no prior technical skills, shared her success story, having acquired valuable skills in value addition and earning a promotion. She encouraged her peers to embrace lifelong learning and develop problem-solving abilities to thrive in the evolving world of work.

Enabel remains committed to supporting Uganda’s development goals by fostering green jobs, empowering youth and refugees, and improving essential services like education and healthcare.

Source: Nile Post