Government advised to skill workers

Dr Theopista Ntale Sekitto, the Africa ambassador for Global Banking Alliance for Women, has said that one of the main measures to reduce unemployment is ensuring the education system reflects the practical needs of society. 

This means people should be educated with skills relevant to the demands of the economy, this is where technical skilling comes in. 

“I call upon the government through the education ministry to refocus the education system into skilling so that the country could have more job creators than job seekers,” Dr. Ntale said. 

According to Trading Economics Global Macro Models, Uganda’s national unemployment rate is 9.2%, while the unemployment rate for youth aged 18-30 is 13.3%. 

These averages fall in place with the overall global picture of unemployment. 

Dr. Ntale made these recommendations and recently presided over the graduation of over 50 persons from the Rubaga based Northwind Foundation in Mengo, where the courses were free of charge and ran for one year and six months depending on the course. 

The graduands received certificates in fashion design, hairdressing, tailoring, makeup and computer science. 

The students were sponsored by Changing Lives, an organisation in Switzerland. 

Dr.Ntale, who describes herself as an advocate of the girl-child, said that choice plays an important role in all our lives. 

“We have seen so many people going into relationships because of money and I am happy today that we are celebrating young people both boys and girls that have the capacity to survive by themselves without being influenced by external support because they need favour,” Dr. Ntale said. 

“Theoretical course is good but at the end of the day, most people after graduating always look for an employer but a person with skills can be self-employed or even employers,” she added. 

Abdulrahim Katongole, the Chief Executive Officer of Northwind Foundation, said the skills the graduates are equipped with should be used to transform their lives.