Published on 20/08/2024
Lawmakers on Presidential Affairs Committee pressed the government to boost the Youth Skilling Project, insisting it include equipment and startup capital.
They warned that without these crucial resources, the graduates’ newly gained skills could go to waste. Action, they argued, must follow training to ignite real change.
David Lagen (Agago County) raised this concern during a meeting with State House officials on August 13, emphasizing that many trainees, particularly vulnerable youths, lack the means to purchase essential tools after completing their courses.
“These young people return home with skills but without the capital or equipment to apply them. Their potential remains untapped, and we need to address this,” Lagen stated.
Peter Okot (Tochi County) questioned whether any impact assessment had been conducted on the program, asking, “Have you evaluated the long-term effects of this skilling initiative beyond simply increasing the number of trained youths?”
In response, State House Comptroller Jane Barekye acknowledged the challenge, noting that while the program equips youths with marketable skills, job placement is not guaranteed.
“Our primary goal is to give them skills they can use in the job market. However, we are working on a proposal to provide startup capital and common user facilities in various regions to support these graduates,” Barekye said. She mentioned that a proposal is being prepared for Cabinet consideration to address these gaps.
Despite welcoming the skilling initiative, Robert Kasolo (Iki Iki County) criticized the current curriculum, arguing that it leaves many trainees “half-baked” and unprepared for employment. He expressed his intention to submit a proposal to the government for revamping the technical education system.
“We need a curriculum that truly empowers young people to be self-reliant. Skilling should not just be about getting a certificate; it should be about practical, sustainable empowerment,” Kasolo asserted.B
Barekye defended the curriculum, clarifying that it was approved by the Ministry of Education and encouraged Kasolo to share his recommendations for potential improvements. “If there are gaps, we can bring them to the Ministry’s attention, but we must work within the established framework,” she added.