Uganda's Skills Agenda: Minister Urges Sector Experts to Drive Economic Transformation

State Minister for Primary Education and Sports, Phyllis Chemutai, has implored the newly formed Sector Skills Expert Committees (SSECs) to embrace their roles with patriotism and a strong sense of national duty. Speaking at an induction workshop in Entebbe, Minister Chemutai emphasized the critical need for Uganda to synchronize its skills development initiatives with the nation’s evolving economic landscape.

The three-day workshop, themed “From skills to productivity, jobs and wealth creation: The strategic role of sector skills expert committees in Uganda’s transformation,” highlighted the committees’ vital responsibility. They are tasked with identifying immediate skills needs and forecasting future requirements essential for driving productivity, fostering industrialization, and creating employment opportunities.

Minister Chemutai stressed that Uganda’s progress cannot solely rely on infrastructure development. “What skills does Uganda need today, and what skills will Uganda need tomorrow if we are to transform our economy and improve the lives of our people?” she questioned, underscoring that even roads and factories require a skilled workforce to be effective.

She also issued a challenge to the private sector, urging greater involvement in skills development. The Minister stated that the responsibility for training workers should not fall exclusively on the government, and that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) should cultivate not only competent employees but also entrepreneurs capable of generating jobs and securing sustainable livelihoods.

TVET Council Chairperson Allen Kagina cautioned the committees against becoming mere forums for meetings, urging them to provide actionable intelligence that bridges the gap between Uganda’s productive sectors and its skills development system. Executive Director of the TVET Council, Moses Kasakya, noted that these committees are intentionally composed of industry professionals to ensure training aligns with real labor market demands, covering key sectors like oil and gas, minerals, ICT, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. This strategic approach aims to develop local expertise, reducing reliance on imported skills.

The induction focused on the committees’ national role, evidence-based labor market research, and translating findings into curriculum and investment recommendations, ultimately seeking to enhance Uganda’s competitiveness through industry-led TVET.

Source: Nile Post