Hotel management apprenticeship empowers refugee and host community youth in Uganda

Jinja, UGANDA (ILO News) - On Friday, November 2, 2024, the city of Jinja, Uganda, witnessed a momentous occasion as the second cohort of refugee and host community youth graduated from a transformative 12-month apprenticeship program. This initiative, aimed at equipping young people with practical skills and opening pathways to employment in Uganda’s hospitality sector, represents a collaborative effort among key stakeholders.

The Apprenticeship Program in Uganda is implemented through the PROSPECTS program, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI), Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD), and other stakeholders have joined forces to make this program a success. Together, they aim to address the skills gap in the hospitality sector while providing refugees and host community youth with opportunities for meaningful employment.

Richard Kawere, Principal of UHTTI, highlighted the program's growth: “We are graduating the largest number of students since the school’s establishment in the 1980s. This year, the number of graduates has increased by 50%, from 300 to 459 students. Among them, 191 are apprentices who underwent this hands-on training program. Our curriculum is designed to align with the government’s strategy to enhance manpower production in the tourism and hospitality sectors, targeting an industry growth from $1.5 billion to $50 billion USD.”

Jean Byamigusha, CEO of UHOA, emphasized the importance of apprenticeship programs: “Today’s graduation marks a significant step forward. It underscores the need for more apprenticeship initiatives to strengthen Uganda’s capacity in the hospitality industry. By investing in our youth, we are investing in a brighter, more competitive future for the country. This program has proven its impact, and with additional resources, we can amplify its success to benefit even more young Ugandans and refugees.”

Evans Lwanga, Chief Technical Advisor for ILO PROSPECTS Uganda, added: “ILO is proud to partner with UHTTI to institutionalize this apprenticeship model. Beyond supporting apprentices, we aim to strengthen the institution itself, enabling it to train limitless numbers in the future. This strategic partnership is key to promoting decent work and social justice while creating opportunities for youth in the labor market.”

Graduate Success Stories

The program’s impact was vividly reflected in the stories of the graduates. Sefora Uzele Murogo, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, shared her journey: “This program was a new experience for me. After starting in school, I was placed in different locations for hands-on training. Today, I’m graduating, and tomorrow I begin my role as a Front Desk Associate at Four Points by Sheraton Kampala.”

Ali Kasayi, another refugee from the DRC, spoke about his transformation: “This training helped me adjust to a new environment and gave me the tools to succeed. It taught me real-world skills like financial management, enabling me to support myself and my family.”

Among Debora, a refugee from South Sudan in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, highlighted the program’s impact: “After six months of apprenticeship training at Four Points by Sheraton Kampala, I secured a job that now supports me and my family.”

Building Future Capacity

Jean Byamigusha noted the program’s success in addressing the skills gap in Uganda’s hospitality sector: “New hotels, like Hilton and Marriott, are opening in Uganda, but we’ve faced challenges with expatriate manpower. Programs like this apprenticeship initiative help build local capacity and address youth unemployment. With 75% of graduates already employed, the results speak for themselves.”

A Vision for Growth

The program’s curriculum, designed using competency-based training approaches, ensures that graduates are equipped with practical skills. Richard Kawere expressed pride in its success: “This unique curriculum has resolved challenges in training models and equipment, leading to high graduate uptake in the sector.”

As the apprenticeship program continues to grow, stakeholders remain committed to expanding its reach, empowering even more youth, and driving Uganda’s hospitality industry toward a brighter future.