WorldSkills Champion Joel Makongo believes that acquiring practical skills through Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has the power to transform lives.
Speaking from his own experience, Makongo says that through WorldSkills competitions, he discovered the value of hands-on training that inspired him to start and manage his own bakery.
“WorldSkills teaches us that skills change lives. This means that even if you encounter challenges in your education journey, WorldSkills wakes you up to the fact that once you learn a skill, you can change your own life,” he says.
Makongo pursued a diploma in pastry and bakery at Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) in Jinja.
“That diploma connected me to WorldSkills Federation Uganda that pushed me to WorldSkills International competitions in Belgium in 2023,” he says.
Makongo didn’t just travel to Belgium to take part in the competitions as a participant; he won a bronze medal which inspired him to aim higher.
In 2024, Makongo participated in the Second Belt and Road International Skills competitions in China.
His participation in the two international skills competitions made him believe that skills have the power to change lives.
“That has moved me to manage my own bakery that I am willing to expand in the future. This is the kind of drive WorldSkills gives you. You get to own what you do, and love it. Once you learn a skill and you are mentored well, it pushes you,” he says.
Makongo notes that the mentorship and exposure gained through the international competitions not only strengthened his passion for baking but also gave him the confidence to turn his skill into a sustainable business.
