Acholi

GULU-A total of 212 youth from the 10 districts of Acholi Sub-regions have graduated from Acholi Zonal Industrial Hub with various vocational skills that should make them job creators and financially independent in the long run.

The students obtained Level One Certificate of Uganda Vocational Qualifications, under the Directorate of Industrial Training, Ministry of Education and Sports after attending a five-month training.

They trained in tailoring and garment cutting, welding and metal fabrication, carpentry and joinery, and hairdressing.

Jane Barekye, the State House Comptroller, who was the chief guest at the function urged local government leaders to consider linking the fresh graduates to the running government programmes like the Emyooga programme and the Parish Development Model [PDM].

“We have government development programmes modified and formulated for these categories of people. Therefore, local government officials and leaders should register and link them to these programmes like PDM,” Barekye said.

She said the vision of the skilling in the hubs is meant to create wealth among the youth.

“Life doesn’t stop at acquiring a certificate. If your hands can do something for you, it is also good. What the president [Museveni] wants is for you to work and transform your families through vocational skills,” Bariekye said.

Acholi Industrial Hub is one of the 21 zonal industrial hubs constructed in all sub-regions of Uganda by State House with the aim of skilling 12, 600 youths every year under the Presidential Initiative on Skilling.