The government has inaugurated Sector Apprenticeship Committees for Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing and Construction in a renewed effort to strengthen skills development and address youth unemployment through workplace-based training.
The committees were launched by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) and will oversee apprenticeship training under the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), ensuring skills development is aligned with labour market demands.
Speaking at the inauguration, Permanent Secretary Aggrey David Kibenge said the committees will play a key role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace requirements.
“The Government of Uganda further recognizes that one of the major challenges facing our labour market is the mismatch between skills acquired through training and those demanded by employers,” Kibenge said in remarks delivered by Assistant Commissioner for Labour Productivity Hillary Businge.
He added that many young people complete training without sufficient workplace experience, making it difficult for them to transition into employment, noting that on average it takes about 31 months for graduates to secure jobs in their field of study.
The National Apprenticeship Programme, launched in 2018, is one of government’s flagship interventions aimed at improving youth employability among Ugandans aged 16 to 35 through structured workplace learning and graduate volunteering.
According to the ministry, the programme also supports Uganda’s broader ambition of expanding the economy from USD 53 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040 by developing a skilled workforce for priority and export-oriented sectors.
Kibenge said the newly established committees will identify sector-specific occupational standards, promote employer participation, support apprenticeship placements and monitor the quality of training across industries.
“As committee members, you will be expected to provide strategic guidance on sector priorities, support the identification of apprenticeship opportunities, advise on occupational standards and curricula, promote employer participation, and contribute to quality assurance mechanisms within the apprenticeship system,” he said.
The ministry reported that 984 apprentices have so far completed training under the programme, mainly in hospitality and tourism-related fields such as housekeeping, front office operations, food production, food and beverage service and solar energy installation.
Of these, 784 secured formal employment, representing a placement rate of 79.6 percent.
Additionally, 242 graduate volunteers have been placed in 47 public and private institutions, with about 75 percent securing formal jobs during or after their placements.
Officials said the new committees are expected to strengthen collaboration between industry and training institutions, while expanding opportunities for young people to gain practical experience and access employment.