Uganda Overhauls TVET Training for Workplace Relevance

Uganda is undertaking a significant shift in its vocational training landscape, aiming to bridge the divide between educational institutions and the demands of the job market. The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) is leading these reforms, which will reorient curricula and assessments to mirror actual workplace requirements.

UVTAB Deputy Executive Secretary for Curriculum Development, Jalia Nasaza, highlighted that the previous system often focused on theoretical knowledge reproduction rather than practical problem-solving. “The gap was that what was being trained was disconnected from what is required in industry,” Nasaza stated during a workshop in Kampala.

The new approach will involve closer collaboration with employers to ensure that training content and assessment methods align with the skills employers are actively seeking. This includes preparing graduates for both local and international labour markets by adopting global training standards.

To support these changes, trainers in both public and private institutions will undergo reskilling and upskilling. The TVET Council is establishing sector-specific expert committees to identify current labour market needs and guide curriculum development. These committees will cover key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and oil and gas.

Furthermore, the TVET Council will track graduate employability to identify and address reasons for job seeking difficulties. Quality assurance measures are also being tightened, with a focus on ensuring institutions possess adequate infrastructure, equipment, and qualified trainers. The revised curriculum will significantly increase the weight of practical assessments, with diploma-level courses seeing practical work account for 70% of the final evaluation.

Officials emphasize that these reforms are designed to produce adaptable graduates capable of performing essential tasks, fostering entrepreneurship, and competing effectively in the global job arena.

Source: Nile Post