Enhancing skilling: Experts emphasise Gender Matters for Green TVET

There are significant calls for the new Technical and Vocational Education and Training policy to focus more on the girl child to ensure a larger skill pool.

The training component, which is being carried out at three important technical institutes in Kamuli, Palabek, and Bombo, includes plumbing, agriculture, and electrical disciplines, as well as off-grid system design.

“My initial undergraduate training was in bio-systems engineering. But I have since added relevant skills such as the solar installation technicians’ course. This was conducted at the Nakawa Vocational Training Institute and supported by Sendea Academy,” Salima Nanyanzi, says.

“I was motivated to improve on my skills so that i may easily find employment. I have since been lucky. Last year, I found a new job with Solar Grid Uganda limited. This was made possible with funding from the Austria Development Association."

Clare Afoyo, is yet another apprentice who has been benefited from internship secured under the background of skills. She is a student of electrical at Don Bosco Vocational Training Institute in Bombo, Luwero district.

“I am among the beneficiaries of the internship programme under the Gender Matters for Green TVET, in conjunction with Sendea Academy. I was privileged to find placement for interning with WENRECO, an energy firm in West Nile,” Afoyo says.

She recalls, that the training at WENRECO, built skills in her as an electrical technician, given the wide practical field experiences that she was exposed to during the time.

“I urge young girls like myself to always believe in themselves. I was able to learn how to ride a motorcycle in order to support my fieldwork. I can now climb 3 electric poles in a day and sort out an electrical problem,” she says with confidence.

Loy Kyozaire, the Chief Executive Officer at Sendea Academy, says that the Gender Matters for Green TVET, collaboration with the Austria Development Association (ADA), is meant to equip the young girls with skills in a range of disciplines.

“Given the high levels of unemployment in our country and the disparities that most girls face in the job market, enhancing of their skills continues to he of essence. Under this program, we are strengthening the pool of skills in electrical installations, plumbing, agriculture and off grid solar systems,” Kyozaire, states.

She points out that these areas under which the skilling is taking place also face significant deficit of technicians particularly among the wider population in need for such services.

“The trainings are taking place at 3 vocational training institutes in Bombo, Palabek and Kamuli. These trainees get certified at the end of their skilling with a Directorate of Industrial Training certificate, which is an accreditation for further upgrading,” Kyozaire, advises.

Takia Nakaazi, is also a plumbing technician who has just completed her internship. She explains that the opportunities under the Gender Matters for Green TVET has been immense.

“My family, relatives and friends cannot believe that at my young age, I can install a range of plumbing accessories. The internship program has given me practical experiences. I can work anywhere,” she says.

In view of the importance of the agricultural sector and the demand for requisite agronomical skills within the population, some of the young under this program have had their training at Bukalasa Agricultural Training College.

“I trained in best agricultural practices at Bukalasa (Agricultural Training College). I now can ably handle farm activities including preparing the fields, planting, weeding, managing harvests. I can also take care of livestock,” Linda Zawedde, says.

The Gender Matters for Green TVET, expects to train at least 500 young girls in various vocational skills over the next 1 year.

Stephen Egesa, a Job service officer under the program, admits that the interest of the young girls has been overwhelming.

“We shall be having higher numbers of these apprentices skilled over the years and this is vital for the country in many aspects. We shall continue to get placements for these girls in expanding their skills. We also remain committed to ensuring they remain protected while working in new environments,” Egesa

says.

This was made possible with funding from Austrian Development Cooperation and Jugend Eine Welt.

This is part of the broader Gender Matters for Green TVET programme; a four-year initiative (2023-2026) implemented in five Don Bosco TVET Centres across Uganda and Rwanda