'Govt, partners' co-operation key to Karamoja youth skilling'

KAMPALA - Development partners have been urged to work within the existing government structures to train and equip young people in Karamoja region with vocational skills.

Karamoja affairs minister Peter Lokeris says 'many of our young people are unemployed, and the best way to train and equip them with vocational skills to enable them to earn decent livelihoods and live meaningful lives'.

Lokeris says this can be achieved if the development partners continue to work together with the Government.

“Continue working hand-hand with government and structures in place,” he said.

Lokeris said such strong partnerships will create a very strong linkage to see tangible fruits of individuals acquiring skills and, consequently, a success story of Karamoja region.

Karamoja region is home to a predominantly young population with an average age of 15 years as per the census report of 2014. The region is also faced with intersecting socio-economic and mental health challenges.

Lokeris was speaking during the Vocational Education and Skilling Programme Policy and Advocacy Strategy Validation Workshop, at the Mestil Hotel, Kampala.

The meeting attracted officials from the ministries of education, gender and the Office of the Prime Minister, and local government leaders from Karamoja.

AVSI country representative John Makoha said the vocational education and skilling programme is supporting young people to impart them with employable skills.

“As a country, we have come from having skills and now we want to transform them to employable skills. It is the reason, development partners are gathered here to discuss the issues,” Makoha said.

AVSI country representative John Makoha said the vocational education and skilling programme is supporting young people to impart them with employable skills.

Karamoja region has been affected by insecurity, climate challenges, and has also been disadvantaged in terms of having private sector investments.

Makoha said are looking at the realities of this region, to be able to put everyone together to make an impactful programme for the youth in this region.

Funded by the Embassy of Ireland in Uganda and implemented by AVSI Foundation, Co-operation and Development and the district local governments in Karamoja is collaborated through the vocational education and skilling programme to provide real skillsets for gainful employment to 3,500 vulnerable youth, of those 50 percent of who are female.

Makoha said the strength of the programme lies in efforts to reach the last mile. This implies that they can put their foot on the ground and we can reach the last communities and individuals enrolled into this program.

This, according to Mukoha has been possible by officials traversing through communities talking to their leaders to mobilize them, but also looking at the immediate challenges.

They also tried to assess the capacities of institutions and, the private sector.
Lokeris said vocational training is a step in the right direction.  

He urged the young people not to underestimate the training, and instead embrace it.
AVSI Foundation is a leading provider of development and humanitarian assistance, dedicated to promoting human dignity and integral human development. 

Since its inception in Uganda in 1984, AVSI Foundation has reached more than four million people annually through innovative programmes tailored to local contexts and this means we care about the choices of the people. 

Operating in 80 districts including an active presence in the nine districts of Karamoja, the AVSI Foundation implements interventions across the education, livelihoods, health and mental health, food security, agriculture, child protection, water and sanitation, energy and environment sectors.