Uganda: Vocational Training and Tailoring Shop Program

Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute: July – August 2016 Progress Report

August 13, 2016

Summary of Activities

This report covers the second month (July 13 – August 13, 2016) of RMF’s skills training program at Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI) in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The report highlights the program’s training progress, achievements, and challenges during this training period.

The Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute aims to provide skills training for South Sudanese refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, enabling them to become self-reliant for the present and for the future, when they eventually return to South Sudan. RMF’s skills training program also targets the Ugandan host community that surrounds Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.

Over the past two months of training, some students have dropped out, and the report details each department’s progress in attendance, syllabi coverage, assessment, and trainees registered to complete the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) examinations.

Internal assessments were conducted at the department level and followed the DIT grading system. This was done to help the trainees gauge their position and skills, and therefore improve their practical input.

A total of 74 trainees (44 female and 30 male) have been registered to complete DIT examinations, which will be held on September 23, 2016. Of these trainees, 31 are of South Sudanese origin, 2 are Congolese, and 41 are Ugandan. These examinations are typically set up and conducted by DIT (Directorate of Industrial Training) officials, and thereafter certificates are issued by the DIT.
Initially, skills training was scheduled to end by September 13, 2016, but due to changes made by the DIT, PVTI will be obliged to stay open for 7 extra days, and another day for graduation.

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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

beauty school in uganda

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

Program Progress

During the second month of our Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy skills training program, trainees continued with Module 3: “Hairdressing.” This is considered the core of HBT training, because the trainees learn different styles of plaiting (or braiding). Appropriate use of different tools involves using tools like hair dryers, hair tonguing machines, and steamers. During this unit, trainees also learn to apply shampoo and conditioner, cut and trim hair, and various other processes. If a trainee is adept at mastering the above three module units, it is expected that she/he will have learned the basics of salon work and should be able to utilize the knowledge acquired to earn a living by being employed or being self-employed.

masonry class in uganda

Bricklaying and Concrete Practice

Program Progress

During this month, the BCP department handled Module 5: “Walling.” Trainees were introduced to brick masonry; building with bricks bonded together with mortar. Throughout the training process, four main types of bonds were introduced and constructed, including the stretcher bond, header bond, English bond, and Flemish bond. A total of 14 Bricklaying and Concrete Practice trainees (all male) were registered to complete the DIT examination, which will be held on September 23, 2016. Of these, 7 are of South Sudanese origin and 7 are Ugandan.

carpentry school in uganda

Carpentry and Joinery

Program Progress

During the second month of skills training, the Carpentry and Joinery class handled Module 4: “Joints Classification, Applications, and Adhesives.” This module is made up of seven units, which cover widening joints, frame or corner joints, mortise and tenon joints, adhesives, fitting and joinery, marking and fitting of butt hinges, and handle and knob fitting. The completion of Module 4 equips trainees to identify and assemble work pieces using appropriate widening joints and applications, and to use appropriate types of basic ironmongeries. Trainees can select and use appropriate types of adhesives and also fit and join appropriate lengths of hinges.

tailoring school in uganda

Tailoring and Garment Cutting

Program Progress

During the second month of the Tailoring and Garment Cutting skills training program, trainees concentrated on Module 6: “Garment Construction.” This module involves assembling garments, with activities such as identifying the correct parts of the garment, choosing correct stitches, and stitching the parts together. Module 7, “Finishes,” was also covered this month, because in order to make the pieces of clothing listed above, trainees needed to learn competency in making waistbands and belts, pockets, fastenings. For instance, constructing a pair of shorts requires a waistband, zipper, pockets, and hems.

bricks setting in the sun

Brick Molding

Program Task

Each of the trainees in the Bricklaying and Concrete Practice (BCP) department has been assigned to mold 500 bricks. It is expected that if this is successfully implemented, 7,000 bricks will have been molded to be assembled for burning (which makes the bricks durable).

knitting school in uganda

Introducing a New Class

Knitting

Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute has existing knitting machines that were acquired with support from the NGO, Japan International Cooperation Agency. Using these knitting machines, RMF has introduced knitting lessons for those who are interested. Thus far, only two trainees have been enrolled, and this extra training has been assigned to Madam Maxensia Namatovu. It is expected that the training period for knitting will be the same as PVTI’s other programs, and knitting trainees will be expected to develop the skills required to knit a short sleeved sweater, a long sleeved sweater, and an open sweater.

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Background

& Objectives

Background

In April 2011, RMF initiated the Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI) at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement after being presented by the refugee community with issues surrounding the lack of skills and vocational training for students graduating from the settlement high school.
After researching which skills would provide the quickest earning opportunities and the most efficient economic investment requirements for RMF, we narrowed the programs down to:

  • Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
  • Bricklaying and Concrete Practice
  • Carpentry and Joinery
  • Tailoring and Garment Cutting

Objectives

  • To train the refugees with relevant vocational training skills
  • To prepare the refugees for the work world with entrepreneurial skills for both employment and self-employment
  • To prepare refugees with basic skills that they shall use for nation building when returning to their home country
  • To foster a cycle of improved economic stability and opportunity in the region
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More

Photos

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Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Numbers

Served

84 students currently enrolled

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Success

Stories

blackboard in uganda school brick laying school in uganda

Observations

The overall program performance at Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute is progressing as planned. This is reflected through syllabi coverage and analysis of performance assessments. Of the initially enrolled 84 trainees, 74 trainees are still pursuing their skills training program of choice, indicating a dropout rate of 12% (10 trainees). The overall program attendance shows a high level of community interest in RMF’s vocational training program. Another indication is that Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute received 432 applications for this 10th intake, but with our limited budget, only a maximum of 75 trainees could be maintained. This indicates the need to lobby for support towards increased skills development in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The initial enrolment of two female trainees in the Bricklaying and Concrete Practice (BCP) department shows that the community is beginning to appreciate basic skills without limiting or discriminating trainees’ enrollment based on gender.