Performance Of Technical and Vocational Training System towards Skill Development in Uganda

Abstract

Technical and vocational training education is considered to be a best alternative to economic development through skills development. However, in Uganda, TVET has not provided the required skills to meet the labour market standards whereby about 67% of the population do not possess any trade/technical skills. The study investigated the performance of technical and vocational training system towards skill development in Uganda. Objectively, the study established the opportunities and challenges under the TVET system, developed a structure for improved TVET in Uganda and determined the effectiveness of the structure towards skill development in TVET. The study used a descriptive survey and stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Furthermore, quantitative research approach was used where data was collected using questionnaires. The study established that TVET had a lot of opportunities for skill development and these put a milestone to graduate’s skills with a possibility to push them towards self-employment if utilized. However, these institutions face a lot of challenges which hinder their development. The major challenges included; inadequate incentives to TVET teachers; negative attitude and perceptions of parents and people in the community(s), limited funding of TVET institutions. Moreover, the suggested TVET structure had an upper hand towards enhancing the performance of TVET hence recommendable for use in order to improve on the performance of TVET towards skill development among its graduates. The study concluded that if given the highest priority, TVET system comes with various opportunities which can enhance on graduate’s skills and push them towards self-employment. Despite the opportunities that come with TVET education system, a number of challenges are faced which limit TVET development like lack of funding for TVETs and insufficient equipment. Therefore, in order to achieve an education system that is skill centered, the study suggested a structure for improved TVET which was found to have an upper hand to improve on the performance of TVET towards skill development. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education adopt the technical and vocational education Structure that emphasizes apprenticeship. It is also recommended that government motivates technical and vocational teachers/instructors by giving them the required pay as well as allowances and other motivational incentives. In conclusion, sensitization of the local community on the benefits of technical and vocational training system is also necessary.