Labour experts have highlighted the need for follow-up programs for youth from vocational training. They argue that this would help minimize the rate of unemployment which exposes youth to human trafficking, sexual abuse, and drug abuse.
Ritah Larok, the Director of Programs Association of Volunteers in International Service- AVSI Foundation noted that a follow-up model for graduates was adopted by AVSI where the learners are monitored for two months.
She says that the two months are used to ensure that learners are able to get into decent income-generating ventures based on their skill as well as teach them about their rights in decent work.
Decent work according to the International Labor Organization- ILO involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives among others.
She further added that to ensure that their learners don’t end up in compromising situations like sexual transactions because of financial constraints and other forms of workplace abuse, the vocational trainers encourage the earn as you learn mode of studying.
Rogers Kasirye from the Youth Development Link noted that follow-up training for young people will help enable them to have a mindset when they get into the job market.
Professor Edward Bbaale explained that through follow-up programs for learners from vocational institutions, the problem of the collapse of small income-generating ventures will be minimized.
Angel Kene a representative for the youth emphasized that young people live under compromised situations after acquiring skills because of lack of direction which follow-up can address.
Zaituna Nakawuku from Makerere University expressed her fears about unemployment noting that without proper guidance learners are vulnerable to manipulation.
Elijah Turyamweba another student from Makerere University explained that skilling institutions should consider partnering with networks that can be sources of employment to their learners.
While the government has instituted several strategies to reverse the unemployment trends in the country like Technical and Vocational Education Training, ventures through the Youth Livelihood Program to offer startup capital for projects, unemployment remains a challenge.
