Mukono, Uganda. The Department of Industrial Training (DIT) at the Ministry of Education and Sports has certified 2031 individuals in various vocational fields within Greater Mukono districts.
The initiative aims to enhance employability and promote skills development among Ugandans.
The prestigious award ceremony, organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), took place at Mukono Boarding Primary School in Mukono Municipality on Thursday.
The diverse range of fields covered by the program includes hair styling, piggery, motor vehicle maintenance, tailoring, rabbit husbandry, coffee and poultry farming, bricklaying, renewable energy, soap production, juice processing, leather design, motorcycle maintenance, bookbinding, and photography.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, Odrek Rwabogo, who is also the founder of PACEID, stated the program’s objective is to train and certify a skilled labour force to meet the demands of various industries.
Rwabwogo emphasised the importance of promoting employable skills, product promotion, and market exploration, all of which are achievable with a certified and skilled workforce.
This initiative targets to promote employable skills among Ugandans, promote products, and look for markets. “This can be achieved with certified employees, but the country’s majority are uncertified. Based on that background, we decided to bring DIT on board to assess our people and have them certified,” Rwabogo stated.
The certification process involved a meticulous two-day assessment conducted at Mt. Lebanon Christian Centre Church. Out of the 3000 applicants, 2031 individuals successfully met the stringent criteria set by the DIT to qualify for the industry-recognised certificates.
Mike Ssegawa, the Mukono Deputy Resident District Commissioner, expressed gratitude to Rwabogo for spearheading PACEID and initiating a program aimed at bolstering the country’s economy.
Ssegawa further encouraged more youth to embrace the DIT government program, emphasising the role of gained skills, hard work, and opportunities in sustainable wealth creation.
“I have always told people that skills gained, hard work and opportunity result in sustainable wealth creation. For the over 2000 graduates, congratulations. I call upon more youth to embrace the DIT government program to gain more confidence and advantage in the competitive job market,” Ssegawa stated,
Pastor Samuel Lwandasa, Chief Mobiliser for the program within Greater Mukono, commended PACEID for its efforts in reducing poverty through skill development.
He further recognised the positive impact of the initiative on the lives of the beneficiaries and the broader community.
Among the graduates, AnnaMaria Nanfuka, a primary teacher with additional skills in hairdressing, expressed her gratitude for the recognition of her abilities through the initiative. Nanfuka lacked formal confirmation of her skills and appreciated the organisers for providing the platform for validation.
The certification ceremony marks a significant step towards bridging the gap between skilled labour supply and industry demand in Greater Mukono, contributing to both individual empowerment and economic development.
PACEID’s commitment to promoting skills, certification, and market access aligns with the broader vision of promoting a robust and competitive workforce in Uganda.
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