Blue Collar Pride – The World Needs Your Skills
“We continue to churn out white collar students, yet we have no jobs. We need to look at this and ensure that we prepare our people for job creation,”
-Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of Parliament
(first female elected speaker in Uganda’s history).
In Uganda, (and not unlike most places in the world) vocational or technical school is often viewed as an inferior route of education and job development. In turn, many believe that earning a university degree is the best – or only – way to build a successful career and prestigious social reputation. And yet, this could not be further from the truth.
The fact is, professional employment opportunities are limited and cannot absorb the increasing number of young people entering the workforce. University graduates with First Class academic degrees are struggling to find a job and according to the 1.2million Ugandan youth idle- population report, this is the result of a mismatch between skills obtained through the education system and labor market demands.
And so, we need to demand a shift in attitude toward entrepreneurship, vocational and technical training! Individuals who choose this career track are emerging with the skills and know-how to move the economy forward – not to mention, their capacity to develop innovative ideas for existing industries or create new businesses of their own. Thankfully, the vocational movement is gaining momentum:
On July 4th- 5th, 2019 the China-Africa Vocational Education Academic Exchange Seminar was held in Kampala – Uganda’s capital city. Education experts from China, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and host Uganda met to discuss how vocational education can fast track Africa’s development. The meeting was attended by 16 institutes from China and 40 institutes from Africa.
John Chrysestom Muyingo, Uganda’s Minister of State for Higher Education, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and shared the government’s plans to upgrade 6 technical institutes across the country into Centers of Excellence, equipped with modern training tools and resources for students.
Children of Uganda is also in alignment with this movement as we work to promote and provide access to vocational training for youth today. We offer ongoing career counseling to our secondary students with an emphasis on the benefits of choosing a vocational track. University is reserved for only our top performing students and even these individuals we carefully discuss options with. It’s important that our students feel pride in choosing a trade school with the understanding that they will have greater opportunities for employment; and, with a good paying job, they can always go back to take additional advancement courses in the future.
We currently have a number of sponsored vocational students in various schools and institutes across the region. Recently, COU staff visited several of our students attending St. Kizito Technical Institute.
They had an opportunity to speak with teachers and administrators, as well as tour practical workshops in different trades. All of the students indicated that they love what they are studying and are excited to complete their course. They feel confident in the knowledge and skills they have acquired in vocational school and look forward to going out into their chosen field to start practicing.
We spoke with Margaret Najjagwe who is pursuing a certificate in plumbing and she told us that even though she is one of the only girls in her class, she loves it so much. She doesn’t regret her choice at all and is grateful for all that she’s learned. We are so proud of you Margaret – and yes, girls can do anything!
Here is a list of our current COU sponsored vocational students:
St. Kizito Kitovu Technical Institute:
Sharon Leontina Nakajubi – Certificate in Catering & Hotel Management
Ritah Nalukwago – Certificate in Fashion & Design
Margaret Najjagwe – Certificate in Plumbing
Jackie Namazzi – Certificate in Secretarial Studies
Karim Ssegujja – Certificate in Mother Vehicle mechanics
Ggaba Primary Teaching College:
Rose Nassiwa – Certificate in Grade 3 Primary Teaching
Shimoni Teacher’s Training College:
Mauricia Nanyange – Certificate in Primary Teaching
Vision for Africa:
Esther Nasuuna – Certificate in Cosmetology
Jimmy Ssekasi Institute:
Christine Nankinga – Certificate in Hotel Management & Catering
Mbuye Farm School:
Derrick Kiwewa – Certificate in Agriculture
Advanced Vocational and Diploma Studies:
Esta School of Beauty
Naomi Hope Naggingo – Certificate in Make-up and Hairstyles
Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Services
Suzan Atiibwa – Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology
Makerere University Business School
Carolyne Namujjuzi – Diploma in Accounting and Finance
Jimmy Ssekasi Institute
Daphine Nabukenya – Certificate in Fashion & Design
MTAC
Shiela Precious Najjuma – Diploma in Accounting & Finance
Mbuye Farm School
Ronald Mukisa – Diploma in Animal Production and Farm Management
Rakai Community School of Nursing
Josephine Nantambi – Certificate in Comprehensive Nursing
Kyambogo University
Dorah Nabakooza – Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation
Datamine Technical Business School
Cate Nantale – Certificate in Data and Records Management
And, special congratulations to the following Children of Uganda sponsored students who recently graduated from their respective courses:
Allen Nabiwemba – BA in Industrial Fine Art
Fred Ssekamatte – BSC in Pharmacy
Godfrey Mugisha – Certificate in Nursing
Allan Mugabe – Certificate in Electrical Installation
Francis Wasswa – Certificate in Plumbing
Joseph Kateregga – Certificate in Tailoring
Cate Nassiwa – Certificate in Tailoring
George Mulindwa – Diploma in Radio, T.V. and Film production
Isaac Wasswa – Diploma in Computer Science
If you would like to learn more about supporting a student in vocational school, please contact Sponsorship Coordinator, Krista Guido, at krista@childrenofuganda.org
(Some sponsors are unable to increase their support to cover the full cost of their student’s program, while others have extra expenses including industrial training or tool kits. Your support can make a big difference for a young person’s future).
