Uganda needs stronger collaboration between employers and training institutions if it is to effectively address youth unemployment, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General Allen Kagina has said.
Kagina said employers have an important role to play in preparing young people for the workplace by helping shape training programmes around the skills and competencies businesses actually need.
Her remarks come amid continued concerns over the ability of Uganda’s education and training system to equip young people with practical skills that translate into employment and sustainable livelihoods.
Employer involvement can help tackle youth unemployment Uganda faces
According to Kagina, employers should not leave the responsibility of preparing young people for work entirely to schools, universities and vocational institutions.
Instead, businesses can work alongside training institutions to identify skills gaps, contribute to curriculum development and provide opportunities for practical learning.
Such cooperation can give students a clearer understanding of workplace expectations before they enter the labour market.
It can also help employers find young workers who already possess some of the practical skills required in their industries.
Bridging the gap between education and employment
One of the challenges facing young people is the gap that can exist between academic qualifications and workplace requirements.
A student may graduate with a certificate, diploma or degree but still lack practical experience in areas employers consider essential.
Employer participation in training can help narrow this gap.
Businesses can provide internships, apprenticeships, mentorship programmes and workplace-based learning opportunities that expose students to real working environments.
Practical skills are increasingly important
The changing labour market means that young people need more than academic qualifications to compete successfully for opportunities.
Employers increasingly look for a combination of technical knowledge, digital skills, communication abilities, problem-solving and adaptability.
Training programmes that involve employers can respond more quickly to these changing requirements.
For young people, this can mean entering the labour market with skills that are more closely aligned with actual job opportunities.
Businesses also stand to benefit
Employer involvement in training is not only beneficial to students and graduates.
Companies can also benefit from participating in skills development because they can help build a future workforce suited to their needs.
Instead of waiting for graduates to acquire workplace skills after recruitment, companies can contribute to the process earlier.
This can potentially reduce recruitment and retraining costs while creating a stronger pipeline of talent.
Apprenticeships and internships can provide experience
Workplace exposure is particularly important for young people who have never held a formal job.
Internships and apprenticeships allow students to understand workplace culture, professional communication, teamwork and the practical application of their education.
They can also help young people build professional networks and gain references that may become valuable when searching for employment.
For employer-supported programmes to have a meaningful impact, however, placements need to provide genuine learning opportunities rather than simply using young people as temporary labour.
Training institutions need stronger industry links
Training institutions can also benefit from closer relationships with employers.
Regular engagement with industry can help colleges, universities and vocational institutions understand which skills are in demand.
Employers can provide feedback about graduates’ strengths and weaknesses, helping institutions adjust their programmes accordingly.
This creates a cycle in which education and industry continuously respond to changes in the labour market.
Youth unemployment requires more than job creation
Although creating more jobs remains important, tackling youth unemployment also requires attention to employability.
Young people need access to quality education, technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship opportunities and practical workplace experience.
At the same time, Uganda needs an economy capable of generating enough productive employment opportunities for its growing working-age population.
Skills development can therefore complement broader efforts to expand private-sector investment and economic activity.
The role of employers in Uganda’s workforce
Employers have direct knowledge of the skills required to perform different jobs.
Their involvement can make training more responsive to market realities and ensure that students understand what is expected after graduation.
Companies can contribute through several approaches, including:
- Providing internships and apprenticeships
- Supporting vocational training
- Participating in curriculum development
- Offering mentorship
- Providing workplace equipment and expertise
- Supporting career guidance
- Sharing information about emerging skills requirements
Such partnerships can create stronger links between classrooms and workplaces.
Preparing young Ugandans for the future
Uganda’s young population represents both an opportunity and a challenge.
With the right education, skills and employment opportunities, young people can contribute significantly to economic growth and innovation.
Without sufficient opportunities, however, unemployment and underemployment can remain major social and economic concerns.
Kagina’s call for employer participation therefore points to the need for a more coordinated approach involving government, training institutions, businesses and young people themselves.
Conclusion
Allen Kagina’s call for greater employer involvement in training highlights the importance of connecting education more closely with the world of work.
Businesses can help training institutions understand changing skills requirements while giving young people opportunities to gain practical experience.
For Uganda, stronger partnerships between employers and education providers could become an important part of efforts to reduce youth unemployment and prepare the next generation for a changing labour market.
Ultimately, tackling youth unemployment Uganda faces will require more than producing graduates. It will require building a workforce with practical, relevant skills while creating an economy capable of providing young people with meaningful opportunities.
