The Ministry of Education and Sports has begun the selection process of students for the national certificate and Uganda community polytechnic certificate course in Technical, Vocational Education and Training.

The selection exercise being conducted at the Ntinda Vocational Training Institute (TVET) in Kampala has brought together the heads of more than 29 vocational institutes across the central region. It will run for three days.  Gloria Irankunda reports.

The Ministry of Education and Sports is out to popularize Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) because it can be a powerful enabler of national socio-economic development through skilling the youth.

In this regard, the ministry is moving to increase enrollment and attract candidates to pursue courses in TVET and this selection process is part of it. Here, students will be picked to pursue courses leading to the award of the national certificate and the Uganda community polytechnic certificate course in Technical, Vocational Education and Training. This selection exercise at Ntinda Vocational Training Institute (TVET), Kampala is the second of its kind since the implementation of the TVET policy began.

The Acting Principal of Bbowa Community Polytechnic, Katongole William, said the selection process has been made easier for both applicants and school administrators because the admissions have been decentralized. He said that previously, tracing applicants was much harder.

The Principal of Lwengo Technical Institute, Denis Nkoreki, said that they have registered a bigger turn-up and many students are willing to join vocational institutes. He attributed this to the mobilization done in the last few years.

Deputy Principal Ssese Farm Institute - Immaculate Kyokwijuka said that the unique thing about the coming cohort is the fact that students will be followed up for the training.

The TVET Policy establishes an employer-led TVET system with “a coordinated, labor-market responsive TVET system, producing a skilled, high-quality, competent workforce that is employable and responsive. The most applied courses include plumbing, automotive and electrical engineering.