“Public- Private partnerships start with getting master crafts persons on board” Godfrey Wabwire, National Field Manager Support To Skilling Uganda  

With the aim of upskilling master crafts persons as key partners in work-based learning, BTC’s Support to Skilling Uganda organised a training for master crafts persons of the 5 partner Vocational Training Institutes in Masindi, Hoima, Kabarole and Kasese.From the 14th to 17th of February in Fort Portal, education sector experts tested training manuals and piloted trainings for 21 master crafts persons from the private sector, all with the support of BTC staff.  

This kick-start activity focuses on upgrading training instructors and master craft persons as well as improving the quality of apprenticeships. The long-term vision behind mastercrafts persons involvement is to improve their technical as well as pedagogical skills in guiding students during apprenticeships. Besides, the idea is to get instructors of the schools inspired by the teachings of these mastercrafts persons.

After piloting, trainings are conducted in February and March for 115 master crafts persons collaborating with our 5 partner Vocational Training Institutes. Each training targets 20 master crafts persons and 3 instructors from the priority sectors of the partner schools. Firstly, trainings are given to the Construction Trades of Uganda Technical College Kyema and Motor Vehicle Technology and Welding of St. Simon Peter College. Next up, Hotel and Catering from Millennium Business School receive a master crafts training, followed by Electrical and Renewable Energy of Kasese Youth Polytechnic and Motor Vehicle Technology and Welding of St. Joseph’s Virika College.   

Training master crafts persons brings on board the relevant private sector players in the technical and vocational training process, which is key for the Skilling Uganda Strategic Plan 2012-2022. This strategy emphasizes work-based learning and exposure of trainees to the world of work.