Uganda's National Apprenticeship Programme Recruits 1,900 Youth

The Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), has successfully recruited over 1,900 young individuals for its National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP). This initiative aims to equip graduates with practical skills and bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the demands of the job market.

The programme has onboarded 1,586 apprentices and 333 graduate volunteers. The announcement came during an orientation meeting in Kampala, where selected host institutions were briefed on their roles in mentoring and supervising the participants during their one-year placements.

Zachary Kansiime, Acting Head of Skills Development at the ministry, emphasized that NAP is designed to provide hands-on exposure to real work environments. “We have recruited 1,586 apprentices and 333 graduate volunteers under the National Apprenticeship Programme to enable young people to acquire practical workplace skills and improve their employability through hands-on experience,” Kansiime stated.

This programme is a direct response to a Presidential directive to tackle graduate unemployment by linking young people with workplaces. Employers, who are crucial to the programme’s success, have acknowledged the mismatch between academic credentials and required practical competencies among many graduates.

Beneficiaries have expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to gain practical skills, build professional confidence, and enhance their employment prospects. The MGLSD views NAP as a cornerstone government intervention for reducing youth unemployment and fostering a more skilled and competitive workforce ready to meet industry needs.

Source: Nile Post