KAMPALA – The Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), Board chairman Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha has called for teamwork between employers and technical institutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Assessors Training workshop organised by the UBTEB, Dr. Silver urged assessors to put more emphasis on skills-based assessments. The workshop was held at Ntinda Vocational Training Institute in Ntinda, Kampala on Monday 28.
Dr. Silver said that there is need to stop the ping pong between employers and training institutions.
“Employers are complaining that schools are sending them half-baked graduands and the schools are attributing this to lack of training/skilling opportunities for their students,” he noted
He added that UBTEB will collaborate with the world of work in order to produce graduates that are able to meet the demands of the employers. “The training should be demand-driven,” he advised.
Dr. Silver guided assessors to implement a 70% practical and 30% theory assessment strategy.
“Previously, we have been putting a lot of focus on theory. You cannot learn how to lay pipes or make tables in class for example! Students need to go out and acquire these skills,” he advised.
In addition, he shared UBTEB’s plans to sign practical skilling MOU’s with industries i.e roofings Uganda Limited, UMEME, Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE), Federation of Uganda Employers among many others.
Executive Secretary UBTEB Mr. Onesmus Oyesigye re-echoed the need for collaboration with the world of work in order to produce graduates that are able to meet the demands of the employers.
