The State Minister for Primary Education and Sports, Phyllis Chemutai, has urged newly appointed Sector Skills Expert Committees (SSECs) to approach their work with patriotism and a sense of national duty, saying Uganda must align skills development with the country's changing economic needs.
Chemutai made the remarks in Entebbe while inaugurating and inducting the committees during a three-day workshop running from September 15 to 17 under the theme, "From skills to productivity, jobs and wealth creation: The strategic role of sector skills expert committees in Uganda's transformation."
She said the committees have a critical national responsibility to identify the skills Uganda needs today and anticipate those required in the future to drive productivity, industrialisation and employment.
"What skills does Uganda need today, and what skills will Uganda need tomorrow if we are to transform our economy and improve the lives of our people?" Chemutai asked.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
The Minister said Uganda's transformation cannot depend on infrastructure alone, arguing that roads, factories and other investments require skilled people to operate them productively.
She also challenged the private sector to take an active role in developing skills, saying industries should not leave the responsibility of training workers entirely to government.
Chemutai said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) should produce not only competent workers but also entrepreneurs capable of creating jobs and earning sustainable livelihoods.
Meanwhile, TVET Council Chairperson Allen Kagina cautioned the Sector Skills Expert Committees against becoming another platform for meetings and lobbying.
Kagina said their role is to provide credible intelligence connecting Uganda's productive sectors with the skills development system and ensuring that training responds to actual labour market demands.
The Executive Director of the TVET Council, Moses Kasakya, said the committees are deliberately composed of industry players who understand the changing demands of the labour market.
Kasakya explained that the committees will help identify current and future competencies required in sectors including oil and gas, minerals, ICT, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.
He said the approach will enable Uganda to invest in skills for emerging opportunities rather than continue importing expertise that can be developed locally.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
The three-day induction is focusing on the national role of the committees, evidence-based labour market research and translating findings into recommendations on curricula, assessment and skills investment.
The initiative is expected to strengthen industry-led and evidence-based TVET, with the ultimate aim of improving employability, productivity, enterprise creation and Uganda's competitiveness.
