Ugandans haven’t treasured and technical and vocational courses like they’ve done recently. This is because the white collar jobs are harder to get these days, and yet it’s easy to start your own business if you get a couple of skills right.
However, it’s not all about starting businesses. Here are a few other advantages of these vocational and technical courses;
- You’re equipped with applicable skills
- You’re in a place to get paid for solving problems
- You are quickly capable of joining the work force by the time you have a certificate
- It’s possible to upgrade to higher education levels while you work, as opposed to the ordinary university process.
However, not all courses are alike. Some are more relevant in Uganda’s job market than others. Below here is a list of a couple of courses that are valuable and worth the time and money.
1. Nursing
This is an all-time classic. It is possible though not necessarily easy to become a doctor these days, starting with a certificate in nursing.
This puts you in a better position to work while you slowly upgrade, and in the end, you become a fully qualified doctor.
But what makes me like it the most is the fact that it’s almost impossible to fail to get a job.
2. Motorbike repairing.
These days, many people have entered the Boda-Boda (motorbike taxi) business, to the point that it has become widely popular, competitive and risky.
Don’t fall into the trap of riding. Here’s why repairing motorbikes is more profitable;
- So many people have joined the riding business
- Many people buy second-hand motorbikes, needing repairs almost all the time.
- Ugandan roads are bad, therefore bikes break down all the time.
- Riders overload their bikes, in a bid to multiply their earnings.
I’ve personally witnessed a large number of boys that have learnt from other people’s workshops and later started their own after harnessing these skills.
3. Tailoring
Many people have turned into influential fashion designers after starting small with just tailoring skills.
These days, male students have also embraced the course and have created numerous employment opportunities for themselves this way.
The best thing about fashion and design is the fact that it is evergreen, and it’s only your creativity and imagination that will take you places.
4. Catering
Cheap as it may sound, it recently inspired a spark in the restaurant business, as lots of people decided to join the business. Alternatively, lots of people started outdoor catering businesses.
Since so many people are disappointed in the employment system of Uganda, catering has proved to be a better alternative as it makes it easy for anyone to employ themselves, even though all they have is just UGX 1,000,000.
5. Brick laying.
This is, in no way, equivalent to architecture. However, it is an essential skill that some people have always been able to land jobs with it.
Also, a handful of people have been able to use this skill as a foundation to start their own construction companies.
6. Metal fabrication
When I was young, this looked like one of the dirtiest jobs on the planet, but many people have turned themselves into mega millionaires starting as simple welders.
Metal fabrication is highly relevant, affordable and available at numerous vocational institutes. Also, the risk is mild, since you rarely hear of people cutting their arms off with grindstones.
7. Motor Vehicle Technology
Motor Vehicle Technology (MVT) is undoubtedly one of the best technical courses out there.
Despite the fact that many young people have flocked it and made it look like the competition is impenetrable, it is still highly relevant.
Also, it’s hard to remain unemployed.
8. Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is one of those evergreen courses. First of all, Hydro Electricity is the most consumed form of energy in the largest part of the world. This provides employment opportunities.
Besides that, I have witnessed skilled electricians that are always called up for sporadic deals in situations like;
- Weather-induced power outage
- Fixing broken machines
- In-house wiring, etcetera
9. Plumbing
Water is still one of the world’s toughest challenges, but this is not what makes this course special.
There’s a lot of similarities between plumbing and electrical engineering, even though they’re a lot different, including;
- In-house connection
- Billing and payments
- Communal connections
- Constant damage and repairs
10. ICT skills
ICT never grows old. You can always provide your services as;
- A software engineer
- Website designer
- Mobile app developer
- Cyber security
- Data entrant
You can’t learn all these and other skills at the same time or through your lifetime, but each and every one of them has its own market. This makes it absolutely relevant.
11. Accounting
Lots of businesses have been forced to close these days because the owners have faced problems with book keeping and accounting. This is where you come in, to offer services like;
- Keeping the crucial records of a business
- Gauging the progress of the business using numbers
- Making reports to the business owner about the progress
Many business owners know very well that these are mildly sophisticated tasks that usually need to be outsourced, therefore necessitating the need of good accountants in the field.
12.Marketing
All businesses have to be known, and social media can be a whole maze if the owner of the business doesn’t know the dynamics. Here’s why marketing is hard;
- The trends and dynamics are always changing
- Competitors in the market are always increasing
- One marketing trick/ hack doesn’t work for everyone, therefore dynamism is required.
This is where the marketers come in to make sure the business adjusts to the constantly changing trends of the market.
Conclusion.
Going to school and learning these skills is not enough. You have probably heard about the people that never attended college or any tertiary institute, but have landed serious jobs in large organizations. You know why? Skills, skills, skills. And yes, connections play a huge role too. However, it’s through harnessing these skills that you’re able to build these connections more effectively.
Top technical And vocational courses in Uganda today (ranked according to the job market)
Ugandans haven’t treasured and technical and vocational courses like they’ve done recently. This is because the white collar jobs are harder to get these days, and yet it’s easy to start your own business if you get a couple of skills right.
However, it’s not all about starting businesses. Here are a few other advantages of these vocational and technical courses;
- You’re equipped with applicable skills
- You’re in a place to get paid for solving problems
- You are quickly capable of joining the work force by the time you have a certificate
- It’s possible to upgrade to higher education levels while you work, as opposed to the ordinary university process.
However, not all courses are alike. Some are more relevant in Uganda’s job market than others. Below here is a list of a couple of courses that are valuable and worth the time and money.
- Nursing
This is an all-time classic. It is possible though not necessarily easy to become a doctor these days, starting with a certificate in nursing.
This puts you in a better position to work while you slowly upgrade, and in the end, you become a fully qualified doctor.
But what makes me like it the most is the fact that it’s almost impossible to fail to get a job.
- Motorbike repairing.
These days, many people have entered the Boda-Boda (motorbike taxi) business, to the point that it has become widely popular, competitive and risky.
Don’t fall into the trap of riding. Here’s why repairing motorbikes is more profitable;
- So many people have joined the riding business
- Many people buy second-hand motorbikes, needing repairs almost all the time.
- Ugandan roads are bad, therefore bikes break down all the time.
- Riders overload their bikes, in a bid to multiply their earnings.
I’ve personally witnessed a large number of boys that have learnt from other people’s workshops and later started their own after harnessing these skills.
- Tailoring
Many people have turned into influential fashion designers after starting small with just tailoring skills.
These days, male students have also embraced the course and have created numerous employment opportunities for themselves this way.
The best thing about fashion and design is the fact that it is evergreen, and it’s only your creativity and imagination that will take you places.
- Catering
Cheap as it may sound, it recently inspired a spark in the restaurant business, as lots of people decided to join the business. Alternatively, lots of people started outdoor catering businesses.
Since so many people are disappointed in the employment system of Uganda, catering has proved to be a better alternative as it makes it easy for anyone to employ themselves, even though all they have is just UGX 1,000,000.
- Brick laying.
This is, in no way, equivalent to architecture. However, it is an essential skill that some people have always been able to land jobs with it.
Also, a handful of people have been able to use this skill as a foundation to start their own construction companies.
- Metal fabrication
When I was young, this looked like one of the dirtiest jobs on the planet, but many people have turned themselves into mega millionaires starting as simple welders.
Metal fabrication is highly relevant, affordable and available at numerous vocational institutes. Also, the risk is mild, since you rarely hear of people cutting their arms off with grindstones.
- Motor Vehicle Technology
Motor Vehicle Technology (MVT) is undoubtedly one of the best technical courses out there.
Despite the fact that many young people have flocked it and made it look like the competition is impenetrable, it is still highly relevant.
Also, it’s hard to remain unemployed.
- Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is one of those evergreen courses. First of all, Hydro Electricity is the most consumed form of energy in the largest part of the world. This provides employment opportunities.
Besides that, I have witnessed skilled electricians that are always called up for sporadic deals in situations like;
- Weather-induced power outage
- Fixing broken machines
- In-house wiring, etcetera
- Plumbing
Water is still one of the world’s toughest challenges, but this is not what makes this course special.
There’s a lot of similarities between plumbing and electrical engineering, even though they’re a lot different, including;
- In-house connection
- Billing and payments
- Communal connections
- Constant damage and repairs
- ICT skills
Ict never grows old. You can always provide your services as;
- A software engineer
- Website designer
- Mobile app developer
- Cyber security
- Data entrant
You can’t learn all these and other skills at the same time or through your lifetime, but each and every one of them has its own market. This makes it absolutely relevant.
- Accounting
Lots of businesses have been forced to close these days because the owners have faced problems with book keeping and accounting. This is where you come in, to offer services like;
- Keeping the crucial records of a business
- Gauging the progress of the business using numbers
- Making reports to the business owner about the progress
Many business owners know very well that these are mildly sophisticated tasks that usually need to be outsourced, therefore necessitating the need of good accountants in the field.
- Marketing
All businesses have to be known, and social media can be a whole maze if the owner of the business doesn’t know the dynamics. Here’s why marketing is hard;
- The trends and dynamics are always changing
- Competitors in the market are always increasing
- One marketing trick/ hack doesn’t work for everyone, therefore dynamism is required.
This is where the marketers come in to make sure the business adjusts to the constantly changing trends of the market.
Conclusion.
Going to school and learning these skills is not enough. You have probably heard about the people that never attended college or any tertiary institute, but have landed serious jobs in large organizations. You know why? Skills, skills, skills. And yes, connections play a huge role too. However, it’s through harnessing these skills that you’re able to build these connections more effectively.