The Small Industries Development Organisaion (SIDO) has expressed commitment in
supporting and facilitating employability of graduates of vocational education
and training through its different programmes.
The
commitment was revealed by the SIDO’s Director of Technology Development
Engineer Emmanuel Saiguran when he was officiating the fourth graduation
ceremony of the VETA Kipawa Centre for ICT, held at the Centre on Friday,
December 10, 2016.
Eng.
Saiguran said that SIDO has several programmes, including Incubation programme,
Innovative Industrial Cluster programme, Small loans and Entrepreneurship Training
programmes, which offer great opportunities for employability of youth
including those with vocational skills.
He
mentioned the Innovative industrial cluster programme which provides
opportunities for entrepreneurs to establish small industries and implement
their innovative projects in line with One District One Product (ODOP) as one
of the programmes, which could particularly benefit graduates of ICT.
He
said in those clusters the use of ICT is still very low, therefore VETA graduates
of ICT could support in enhancing use of ICT by innovating and designing
programmes for facilitating the clusters.
Also,
he said in the incubation programme, VET graduates could directly benefit from
a specific window for graduates.
“SIDO is ready to contribute in supporting
vocational graduates in entrepreneurship capacity building and providing small
loans to establish businesses and companies. For those under incubation, we can
even give them premises for running their businesses for a certain period
depending on the kind and needs of the project,” he added.
Earlier,
the Principal for VETA ICT Centre, Eng. Lucius Luteganya presented progress
made by the Centre since when it was established in 2012, stating that it had
benefited 3049 people including 859 women and 2190 men through its training
programmes in Electrical & Automation, Electronics, Graphics Design and
Multimedia, Web Design and Programming and PC Maintenance and Network at
different levels ranging from level II to VI.
Eng.
Luteganya mentioned one of the Centre’s initiatives as expansion of enrollment
and reach through mobile phone training through VSOMO programme whereby
trainees can study theories of the vocational skills wherever they are and at
their own time through their smartphones before they go for practical training
at the vocational training centres.
“This
progamme provides flexibility in learning vocational training and minimizes
time spent in the class, as theories could be learnt through a mobile phone,
leaving ample time for practical training,” He said.
He
said more than 28,000 people have expressed interest by downloading the VSOMO application,
7000 have already registered though only around 30 have paid fees for the
training.
On
the side of graduates through their statement delivered by Hadija Magoga, they
said, though the Centre has equipped them with skills to enable them
confidently compete in the labour market, one of the challenges ahead of them
is access to loans for establishing their businesses.
“We
request for the government and stakeholders to establish mechanisms that enable
youth, especially those with vocational skills easily access small loans for
establishing and running their businesses,” she said.
VETA
Kipawa Centre for ICT was established in 2012 for the purpose of enhancing ICT
skills at vocational level, ensuring production of competent graduates who can
confidently compete in the local and international labour markets.
The
Centre has a capacity of absorbing 150 trainees under long courses and 750
trainees under short course.
Under long courses, it enrolls graduates of lower levels from other vocational education and training centres, particularly level I to proceed with level II and III, but also progress with National Technical Awards (NTA) level III, IV, V and VI under NACTE accreditation. Short courses are provided in ICT, Electrical and Electronics depending on the needs of the labour market.
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