At a time when youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Uganda, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is increasingly emerging as a powerful solution for equipping young people with employable skills required in the job market.
Skills development, education and employment expert, Ham Wilson Lukurwe says that technical and vocational education should no longer be viewed as a second option but rather a strategic driver of skills development and economic transformation.
“TVET is not just a fallback option; it is a powerful pathway to employment. It is the accelerator of job creation, entrepreneurship, industrialization, and inclusive growth,” Lukurwe said.
According to Lukurwe, countries that invest in technical and vocational skills have built a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the industry, supporting innovation and accelerating sustainable development.
He notes that technical and vocational education is designed around practical competence, focusing on the ability to do the job, not just talk about it.
“TVET is central to achieving sustainable development. It provides young people with hands-on skills that open doors to jobs, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship. Investing in TVET builds innovators and skilled human resources that build a nation,” he noted.
Workshops, industry exposure and workplace-based learning ensure that graduates leave technical institutions with skills that employers are looking for. In a job market where experience is demanded but rarely offered to first-time job seekers, this practical grounding gives TVET graduates a clear advantage.
Lukurwe called on parents and guardians to play a central role in guiding their children toward skills-based careers
“Skilled young people inspire others to follow TVET path. To the parents and guardians, I encourage you to inspire young people, your children to join TVET institutions and get right skills. Vocational education will take us far in transforming our economies and our lives as individuals,” Lukurwe said.
Early entry into technical and vocational education allows learners to acquire market-ready skills within a very short period of time. Lukurwe explains that a learner can join a TVET institution immediately after Primary Seven (P.7) and, within a few years, hold qualifications that match labour market needs.
“Someone can choose to enter into a TVET system at a primary seven level. Three years later, as young as they are, they will get a junior certificate. They can come back for an advanced certificate. In a very short time, this young man or young woman will have spent more less the same period of time as one who went up to university, and will have the right skills that employers are looking for,” Lukurwe explained.
He added that in the competitive job market, practical competence gives TVET graduates an edge over many academically trained job seekers.
“Even in the world of work, if it was for employment, a TVET graduate will have a comparative advantage because they will be knowing what to do,” he said.
One of the ways through which skills standards of young people in TVET institutions are enhanced is through skills competitions. In that line, WorldSkills Uganda and the Ministry of Education and Sports have prioritised skills competitions.
Government is now committed to have skills competitions every year. The ministry has put skills competitions on the school calendar.
Since there were delays last year, the national skills competitions for 2025 are scheduled to take place from 23rd to 27th February 2026.
The Ministry says that skills competitions encourage competency-based training – shifting attention from theory-heavy learning to practical, real-world skills. This supports Uganda’s shift toward a more skills-oriented TVET system.
By competing in skills competitions, competitors gain advanced technical skills; soft skills (teamwork, time management, creativity, problem-solving); and exposure to real industry standards. Competitors often find it easier to secure employment or start businesses.
