Acholi Zonal Industrial Hub passes out over 200 youth with vocational skills

GULU-A total of 212 youth from the 10 districts of Acholi Sub-regions have graduated from Acholi Zonal Industrial Hub with various vocational skills that should make them job creators and financially independent in the long run.

The students obtained Level One Certificate of Uganda Vocational Qualifications, under the Directorate of Industrial Training, Ministry of Education and Sports after attending a five-month training.

They trained in tailoring and garment cutting, welding and metal fabrication, carpentry and joinery, and hairdressing.

Eunice Alaroker, from Nwoya district who underwent training in tailoring and garment cutting, said the training will help her to transform her household and the community at large as she applies her vocational skills.

Alaroker, who was cohabiting before joining the industrial hub, said, “Life was very difficult for me because I had lost hope of getting an education. I will now  use the acquired skills to make money for myself.”

She hopes government will give her startup capital to help her launch her business, saying they only got certificates on graduation day.

“We have been told that we will not get tools even though we have been passed equipped with various skills. So we need financial help. However, it would also be good if government constructed more centres for the youth who are unable to come to Acholi Zonal Industrial Hub,” she said.

Godfrey Olum Rubangangeyo, who obtained a certificate in welding and metal fabrication, said he would return to Lamiyo Sub-county in Agago district to join an already established welding workshop where he hopes to actualise his skills, and knowledge, and earn some money.

Olum, also the Lamiyo Sub-county youth councilor urged authorities to work on the said mindset of the youth so that they have a positive attitude towards vocational training, saying vocational skills have an instant impact on them in relation to the job market.

“I had lost hope of getting my dream of being an engineer, but with this training, there is some ray of hope because I will be able to make some money from the skills I have attained,” Olum said.

Nancy Achora Odonga, the Lamwo district woman Member of Parliament urged the graduates to avoid being idle but put the skills attained into practice.

Achora also appealed to the parents of the graduates to support them with some startup capital if they are actualise the skills obtained as early as possible.

Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South Member of Parliament said vocational skilling interventions have been long overdue, adding that if government had introduced it earlier, several youths would have been employed by now.

Dr Michael Okumu, from the Directorate of Industrial Training [DIT], said the certificates awarded to the graduates are genuine and have been approved by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

Okumu urged the graduates to further their education, saying they will cause positive development in their community.

Jane Barekye, the State House Comptroller, who was the chief guest at the function urged local government leaders to consider linking the fresh graduates to the running government programmes like the Emyooga programme and the Parish Development Model [PDM].

“We have government development programmes modified and formulated for these categories of people. Therefore, local government officials and leaders should register and link them to these programmes like PDM,” Barekye said.

She said the vision of the skilling in the hubs is meant to create wealth among the youth.

“Life doesn’t stop at acquiring a certificate. If your hands can do something for you, it is also good. What the president [Museveni] wants is for you to work and transform your families through vocational skills,” Bariekye said.

Acholi Industrial Hub is one of the 21 zonal industrial hubs constructed in all sub-regions of Uganda by State House with the aim of skilling 12, 600 youths every year under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling.

https://thecooperator.news/670-youth-in-bunyoro-unlucky-as-they-miss-cnooc-training/

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