WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: Uganda Eyes TVET System Improvement

Uganda’s participation in the upcoming WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai is strategically aimed at improving its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. According to Allen Kagina, Chairperson of the TVET Council, the competition will serve as a crucial benchmark against international standards, highlighting existing gaps.

Kagina stated that the event is expected to expose shortcomings in Uganda’s training programs, assessment methods, occupational standards, technological adoption, and teaching techniques. Furthermore, it will provide Ugandan trainers and competitors with invaluable exposure to international best practices and emerging technologies in their respective fields.

Reflecting on the purpose of such competitions, Kagina emphasized that they provide an external standard that a national curriculum alone cannot achieve. She suggested that while Uganda might be content with its current standards, direct comparison with global competitors will offer a clearer perspective on its standing.

The TVET Council Chairperson also advocated for increased employer involvement in skills training, citing countries like Germany, Switzerland, and Australia as examples where strong industry-vocational training linkages have successfully reduced youth unemployment. She noted that successful nations integrate technical training into their industrial policies, rather than treating it as a social welfare program.

Kagina identified the social stigma associated with TVET as a significant barrier, criticizing the outdated belief that vocational education is a fallback for academically underperforming students. She expressed a desire for a future where skills training is viewed as a primary and respected career path.

The Ugandan team, comprising participants in welding, culinary arts, and nursing, is not primarily aiming for medals but rather to leverage the competition as a platform for systemic improvement and to gain insights into modern equipment and technologies. The competition, running from September 22 to 27, will feature young skilled professionals from around the world.

This initiative is supported by remarks from TVET Council Executive Director Moses Kasakya and Wilfred Nahamya, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, who both underscored the importance of international comparisons for skill development and employability.

Source: Nile Post