Up to 1,290 young people are to be collectively equipped with practical job skills to enable them bridge lack of experience gaps as they seek employment. This is to be done under Youth to Work program targeting those working with various Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Net picture of youth engaged in a mind game.
The program is to skill 90 graduates, and 1,200 local community youths, for a period of 4 months, and it is to cover the whole country starting in Kampala but the beneficiaries will have to apply in order to be enrolled.
Lack of experience is among the hurdles youth face while looking for jobs, and for this, many end up unemployed. This challenge is mainly faced by the educated youth, but it also exists in the uneducated ones.
The Shilling 832 million program is the fourth and largest of its kind in the country. It is to be implemented by Challenges Worldwide, in partnership with several MSMEs and funded by Standard Chartered Foundation under its Future makers project.
Joshua Mutambi, the Commissioner for MSMEs in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, who presided over the launch of the program, says that “this youth program will tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion for young people in local communities.”
Mutambi explains that youth unemployment is a real challenge the government is facing and anyone who comes up with any idea in line to solve it is highly appreciated.
The Uganda National Labor Force Survey Report 2022 by UBOS indicates that up to 41 per cent of youth between 18 to 30 years, are not involved in any productive activities. This percentage means more than 9 million youths, are neither employed, in the education system, nor receive training of any kind.
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The Youth to Work program will use a 4-month work placement approach and will base on the participants’ led initiatives to equip them with the necessary skills in those particular lines. The local MSMEs will provide structured business development services as well as grounds for the youth to practice.
According to the framers of the program, this practice helps young people to become work ready, equips them with the skillsets demanded by the private sector and helps prepare them for work in business and entrepreneurship. Additionally, it is geared towards strengthening Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) ecosystems that lead to greater employment and job creation potential for young people.
The junior associates evaluate key business areas such as sales & marketing, financial management, operations and human resources. They also provide analysis and create an action plan with recommendations for improvement, thereafter these solutions are implemented together with the SME staff.
Sanjay Rughani, the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, said that the bank he leads is fundamentally intended to transform the lives of the youths by enabling them to build their bright futures, as well as navigate the various challenges that are faced in the life of work.
Rughani adds that “We are pleased to invest an additional Ugx 832 million into the Youth to Work – Phase IV Program to support more young people to become catalysts for positive change in business and communities in Kampala and across the country.”
Hendricah Nabukwasi, the Challenges Worldwide Country Lead – Uganda, says that the Youth to Work program supports young people who have struggled to find employment with the skills they need to secure employment or pursue business ventures of their own.
Nabukwasi, says that “Over 58% of the participants in this program have transitioned into employment or entrepreneurship 3 months after their program participation.”