Victoria University to launch Africa’s first Career Readiness and Employability Programme

KAMPALA, UGANDA: The highly anticipated launch of Victoria University’s Career Readiness & Employability Program launch is happening this Wednesday, May 3rd 2023 featuring industry experts who will share valuable insights to help students succeed in their professional careers and boost their job prospects.

According to Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga, the launch, which will kick off at 9 am will be broadcast live on television and social media channels hosted by NBS TV’s Jackie Mutesi at the University auditorium in Kampala.

“Whether you prefer attending in person or catching the live broadcast on NBS TV, the Career Readiness and Employability programme launch is crucial for those seeking to boost their job prospects,” Muganga said.

The programme will feature panellists including the Chief Executive at Stanbic Business Incubator, Mr Tony Otoa; Mr Ninshant Mamtora, the recruitment director at CWG; Mr Jorg Schafer, the CEO AWL Germany; and AIG Godfrey Kiwanuka, the head of human resources in Uganda Police.

It will also feature Mr Simon Kasyate, the deputy director of Public and Corporate Affairs at KCCA, the CEO of Jada Coffee, Ms Jackie Arinda; Ms Harriet Musoke, a human capital expert; Ms Gloria Nabaasa, a nutrition and public health consultant, and Frank Gashumba, an entrepreneur, among others.

“Exciting news! Victoria University is launching the Career Readiness and Employability Programme on May 3, 2023 – the first of its kind in Africa! This programme will transform the education landscape on the continent and prepare students for successful careers,” tweeted the University in a social media message.

Statistics indicate that at least 41 per cent of youth, which represents 9.3 million aged between 18 and 30 years are not engaged in any productive activity, according to findings contained in the Uganda National Labour Force Survey.

The National Planning Authority, a government agency, reported four years ago that up to 40,000 graduates are churned onto the job market from universities and tertiary institutions a year, but 90,000 out of a cumulative 700,000 graduates get “something to do”.

The Uganda National Labour Force Survey, conducted for the period ended 2021 also found that unemployment had increased to 12 per cent from 9 per cent in the 2019/20 Uganda National Household Survey.

Overall, the level of unemployment implies that much as the government has put a lot of emphasis on industrialisation so that many Ugandans can get employed in factories and industries, the rate at which people are getting employed remains drastically low in a country characterised by a mismatch underutilisation of the existing labour force.