In Kumi Eastern Uganda, many youth are unable to experience the appropriate development activities that lead to healthy adulthood. Instead, for too many youth, the late teens and early twenties are years of trouble with crime, drug or alcohol abuse, and unwed childbearing, experiences that affect life prospects. Skilling programs in Uganda for school dropouts focus on practical, short-term vocational courses (3-6 months) designed for rapid employment or self-reliance, with certification.
The skill levels of the out-of-school youth population have remained low, especially in comparison to the rising skill demands of employers. Many Skilling initiatives falter through weak outreach, limited connections to employers, high rates of attrition, and limited time for youth to gain serious vocational competencies.
Our organization plans sponsored projects aimed at starting Aparis Skilling Institute with Sponsorship services for school dropout youth. The primary effort is to provide sufficient resources so that all poor youth, including high school dropouts, have access to a sponsor. Skilling initiatives can be improved by closer linkages with employers and perhaps with the authority to award stipends to youth with high attendance records and who complete program components.
Training disadvantaged youth in Vocational, skills required for healthy adjustment to a productive career and adulthood is a good idea. Youth participants must have confidence that working hard in the program and after the program can yield long-term success. In addition, counseling or mentoring is available to help at-risk youth deal with intermittent barriers without weakening their commitment and participation in the program.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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