Govt urged to equip youth with 21st century skills for modern opportunities

During the post-international youth day breakfast meeting held in Kampala today, stakeholders emphasized the critical need to equip Ugandan youth with 21st-century vocational skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.

Themed “Skills Development for Enhancement of Youth Opportunities,” the event underscored the urgency of aligning educational systems with the realities of the modern workforce.

Spera Atuhairwe, Country Director of BRAC Uganda, was one of the key speakers at the event.

She stressed the importance of integrating 21st-century vocational skills into the national curriculum, pointing out that many young people are currently equipped with outdated skills that do not match the needs of today's job market.

“To avoid a mismatch in skills among the youth, it is imperative that we revise our educational curriculum to reflect the demands of the 21st century,” Atuhairwe noted.

The mismatch in skills has been a growing concern, particularly as Uganda faces a burgeoning youth population, with 78% of its citizens under the age of 30.

Despite this youthful demographic, unemployment remains a significant challenge, exacerbated by a lack of relevant skills that align with the needs of modern industries.

 

Joseph Kikomeko, Commissioner of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the Ministry of Education and Sports, highlighted the need for the government to vocationalize the entire education sector, starting from the O-Level.

“Our move towards the vocationalization of education is aimed at ensuring that students gain practical skills early in their academic journey, thus preparing them for the job market,” Kikomeko said.

However, it was noted that skilling youth goes beyond just providing any skills. Kyateka Mondo, Assistant Commissioner for Youth Development at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, emphasized the need for quality skills development.

“It’s not just about providing skills; the focus should be on quality skills that can leverage employment in the 21st century,” Mondo argued, advocating for a more targeted approach to youth training programs.

This issue of youth skilling has gained significant attention on the global policy agenda, with many countries recognizing the need to prepare their youth for future employment opportunities.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that globally, 85 million jobs may be displaced by a shift in the division of labor between humans and machines by 2025, further highlighting the need for reskilling and upskilling.

Sarah Ntale, a participant in the AIM Project, which focuses on skilling young people, shared her personal experience.

“Through AIM, I have gained valuable skills like saving, which allowed me to start my own business. I also train my fellow girls in tailoring, helping them create various products,” Ntale said, demonstrating the tangible benefits of skills development initiatives.

Atuhairwe further noted the importance of financial inclusion in supporting youth entrepreneurship.

“As we seek to strengthen skills development systems and promote lifelong learning, up skilling and reskilling are paramount. Additionally, financial institutions need to ease access to finance for the youth to support their entrepreneurial endeavours,” she concluded.

The call to action from this meeting is clear that  Uganda must prioritize the development of 21st-century skills among its youth to ensure they are not only employable but also capable of driving the country’s economic growth in an increasingly competitive global market.