KAMPALA, UGANDA- The Government of Uganda received credit from the World Bank towards the implementation of the Uganda Competitive Fund for employer-led shortterm training (Uganda Skills Development Fund –USDF).
The Skills Development Facility (SDF) is part of the $100 million Uganda Skills
Development Project (USDP), which is a Government of Uganda Project funded by the World Bank, implemented by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda. The SDF aims at promoting employer-led short term training in order to address prevailing skills imbalances and shortages in Uganda. An important element of the initiative is to facilitate collaboration between training providers and industry to promote demand driven skills development with special attention to innovative modes of training.
The fund is implemented through a Grant Facility mechanism that is co-financed by the private sector through a matching grant contribution, and support-training activities that lead to improved productivity and competitiveness in the formal and informal sectors. “A total of UShs. 34.7 Billion had been committed as grants for skilling 46,556 employees, interns and members of companies and organizations as on 31st December 2018 and a total of UShs 13.9 Billion had been disbursed. The facility is a 5-year project that supports short-term employer-led training and recognition of prior learning as well as increased access to internships for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) students.
Under Skills Development Facility Work Based Learning (WBL), students are exposed to practical hands training under the guidance of a supervisor from different host companies. This involves, machine handling, technical ability exposure, career guidance, work ethics, and actual interpersonal relationship and professional exposure among others. “So far thirty-six Companies (36) have been awarded grants to take on one thousand four hundred and seventeen (1422) with some companies based on their success have been granted more than once. A total of (366) three hundred and sixty-six have been employed in the various companies and others now are selfemployed. “ Skills Development facility has four funding windows outlined below:
Window One: Aims at Skills shortages in the formal sector the targeted beneficiaries in this case are Medium and large enterprises the beneficiaries including increased access to internships. Aactivities in this window includes: Practical & Technical training programs- Apprenticeship & internship – Voucher scheme for industries with mobility of workers for those intending to participate in it.
In terms of grant contribution from PFSU, the Ceiling is $250,000 covering a range of Up to 80 per cent for (Medium companies), up to 50 per cent for the (Large companies) up to 90 per cent for (Voucher Scheme) and up to 100 per cent (Internship). Our mandate is managed under the four windows:
Window Two: caters for Skills shortages in informal sector MSEs, Jua Khali and the Targeted beaneries in this category are Self-employed, workers and apprentices in the informal (jua khali) sector, master craftsmen, micro and small enterprises and members of cooperatives and associations; – Short and medium-term upgrading practical and Technical training programsShort basic entrepreneurship, management and IT- Teaching skills for Craftsmen &Staff of association- Training tools. The Ceiling for the funds available is $ 50,000, $100,000 for National umbrella organisations, up to 90 per cent Grant contribution However, the 10 per cent contribution of beneficiary can be in kind).
Window Three: targeted beneficiaries includes Innovative training – Public or Private Training institutes, Companies that have independent training wings, while eligible activities in this category includes: Development of learning and assessment materials Curriculum development- Equipment, tools and instruction materials- minor infrastructure development. The Ceiling grant is $ 350,000 covering up to 75 per cent and the 25 per cent contributed by the applicant).
Window Four: focuses on recognition of prior learning and targeted beneficiaries’ private sector and industry organisation trade unions, informal sector associations and training institutions. The intended activities includes selection of test centres for accreditation of assessors of selected trainers and supervisors training of selected trainers development of test materials, development of crucial and learning materials equipment for testing purposes for accredited test centres assistance to further develop their worker’s PAS System. The ceiling grant in this category is $300,000 which is up to 90 per cent and the 10 per cent is contributed by the applicant.
CONTACT PERSON
Daniel Mugoya
Clients Relations Officer
Skills Development Facility
PSFU
Tel: +256312263849/50
sdf@sdfuganda.org
