TVET Commissioner Calls on West Nile to Embrace Vocational Skills to Create Jobs and Innovation
The TVET providers, stakeholders, the foundation bodies representatives, heads of institutions during the Regional Dissemination workshop at Ragem Technical Institute on Thursday.
The Commissioner in charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Loy Muhwezi, has urged young people and parents in West Nile to embrace vocational skills as a pathway to employment, innovation and wealth creation.
Dr. Muhwezi says Uganda’s continued unemployment and poverty are partly linked to a strong preference for white-collar jobs, while practical and technical skills that can create self-employment receive less attention.
She made the remarks during a regional dissemination workshop for stakeholders on TVET Act and Regulations in West Nile held at Uganda Technical Institute Ragem in Arua on Thursday.
“As of now, people don’t know the use of technical education, and they are still wondering why we should join. But I want to tell you that where the world has gone, hands-on training is far better than staying theoretical. And the government of Uganda has provided for an alternative pathway that now you can join TVET from lower levels, from say primary education or secondary education. You join and you can do a diploma or you can do a degree. You can do a master’s. You can do a PhD in TVET.” She said.
Dr. Muhwezi encouraged young people to acquire practical skills that can enable them to start businesses, create jobs and contribute to the country’s development goals.
“And I want to assure you that that is the way to go, so that you get a degree, but which is hands-on, and that is the way we can reduce unemployment.”
She said countries such as Japan, Germany, China and India have made significant progress in technology and innovation by investing in technical and vocational skills.
Uganda currently has 145 government-aided TVET institutions, alongside hundreds of registered private training providers.
Raymond Ombere, the Arua City Education Officer, said technical training has for years been overlooked despite its potential to transform communities.
“For very many families that have challenges of paying school fees, TVET is the way to go,” Ombere emphasized
He said vocational education also provides an alternative pathway for young people who may not afford or qualify for direct university education.
“…and I would like to appeal to you to embrace these TVET institutions, and they know where they are, and make sure that we bring our children here to appreciate and to get these skills, which can make them self-sustaining. We are very grateful to our technical institution that over the years they have continued to produce quality learners who are excelling both locally, regional, and globally.”
Meanwhile, Francis Omoo, the Principal of Uganda Technical Institute Ragem, called on young people to take technical education seriously, saying Uganda needs more skilled workers to close its technology gap and achieve the Vision 2040 development goals.
“the global perspective of today, I think hands-on for the young people is the one which brings industrialization in our country. There has been a lot of gaps in the TVE sector, and this law has come into align and close up those gaps. The TVET policy talks of employer-led, and it is envisioned that through this, a lot of improvement can be achieved from the industrialists. The industrialists can champion proper training; they can support industrial attachment for our trainers and both the trainees and also the new trends which are required in the institution.”
David Drileyo, Principal of Nile Farm, an Agriculture training Institute in Arua City, appealed to parents to support their children to acquire practical skills that can improve their chances of earning a living.
“Let our young people be skilled, not necessarily young. Whoever can attain skills in anything that can earn him money, that can earn him income. So the TVET has come timely. I encouraged the young people, the parents, to send their children to those they cannot afford to take to universities, to institution, to other institutions, to these TVET training centers. It is multidimensional. You can get a job.”
The vocational skills offered include motor vehicle mechanics, welding and metal fabrication, building and construction, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery, agriculture, among others.