Uganda: Vocational Training and Tailoring Shop Program

Applications

Intake and Processing

In order to inform the community of the available training at Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI), we worked with Refugee Welfare Councils (refugee representatives) and used various media approaches like posters and radio. We also mobilized the community in institutions like churches and mosques. Interested candidates responded by picking up an application form from PVTI, completing the application, and returning it with the required attachments.

A total of 432 applications were received: 78 for Carpentry and Joinery, 164 for Tailoring and Garment Cutting, 47 for Building and Concrete Practice, and 143 for Hairdressing Beauty Therapy. The applicants’ interviews were held on May 13, 2016. As is our usual practice, other implementing partners in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement were invited to participate in the interview process. The only partners who participated were from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The interview panels were arranged according to departments.

Orientation

Program Introduction

June 13, 2016 was the orientation day. Orientation activities aimed to help newly enrolled trainees embrace PVTI’s program, which demands commitment from both the instructors and the trainees for time and practice in their chosen vocational field.

The day’s program involved talking to the enrolled trainees as a group and introducing them to Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI) staff, as well as introducing the rules and regulations of the institution, the boundaries of the institution, and trainees’ responsibilities. The orientation was led by PVTI instructors, the PVTI Program Manager, and RMF Uganda’s Country Director.

After general orientation activities, trainees were separated into their individual departments, where departmental curriculum was introduced and explained to them.

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

Program Progress

The department enrolled a total of 26 female trainees. 16 trainees are South Sudanese and 10 are Ugandan. The class has two instructors. One month into the training period, the class has fully covered two modules and is currently handling the third module.

• Module 1: “Safety and Health and Career Guidance” – aims to empower trainees with knowledgeable about acceptable safety measures required while dealing with clients.
• Module 2: trainees are introduced and guided through customer service policies, and it’s expected that at the end of this module, trainees should have learned and demonstrated hospitality to customers and ensured that customers are comfortable.
• Module 3: Hairdressing” – trainees are introduced to and trained in different hairdressing techniques, which involves hair and hair styling.

Bricklaying and Concrete Practice

Program Progress

The department enrolled a total of 17 trainees: 2 females and 15 males, 11 South Sudanese and 6 Ugandans. The class has one instructor. One month into the program, the class has fully covered four modules.

• Module 1: “Safety and Health, and Introduction to Bricklaying and Concrete Practice” – trainees are expected to state and observe the main safety and health hazards in training and working environments.
• Module 2: “Tools, Equipment, Measurements, and Reading” equips trainees with the knowledge and skills to use basic hand tools and take good care of these tools.
• Module 3: “Concrete and Mortar” – trainees learned to assess the characteristics of good concrete, identify and apply the materials used in concrete, select appropriate ratios of materials used in concrete for ordinary buildings, and prepare and use concrete.
• Module 4: “Walls” – trainees were equipped with the skills needed to build basic types of walls, especially block walls, using tools involved in the process of mortar application and wall-building.

Tailoring and Garment Making

Program Progress

The department enrolled a total of 26 trainees: 21 females and 5 males, 15 South Sudanese and 11 Ugandans. The class has three instructors. One month into the program, the class has fully covered four modules and is currently working on the fifth module.

• Module 1: “Safety and Health, and Career Guidance” – students learned to observe the main safety and health hazards in their training and working environments.
• Module 2: “Tools, Equipment, and Machine Maintenance” – trainees were shown how to identify the different types of tools and equipment for specific tasks and how to care for, clean, store, and maintain tools safely.
• Module 3: “Machine Operation” – trainees studied the manual for electric machines, and they learned how to thread the machines, replace the bobbin, settle race, and paddle the manual machines.
• Module 4: “Materials” – trainees learned how to identify the different types of fabrics and how to select the right types of thread and specific fabrics.
• Module 5: “Construction Techniques” – trainees are equipped with skills that enable them to take clients’ measurements, identify garment patterns, and draft and cut clothing.

Carpentry and Joinery Department

Program Progress

The department enrolled a total of 16 male trainees; 10 trainees are South Sudanese and 6 are Ugandan. The class has one instructor. One month into the program, the class has fully covered four modules.

• Module 1: “Safety and Health” – trainees learned how to state, observe, and minimize safety and health risks in their training and working environments.
• Module 2: “Timber Materials” – trainees were taught all about timber: how to identify different types of timber and state the uses of available timber, timber conversion, methods of timber seasoning, timber defects, and correct methods of storing timber.
• Module 3: “Classification and Use of Hand Tools” – trainees learned how to use different types of measuring and marking tools, drilling and boring tools, and saws.
• Module 4: “Joints Classification, Applications, and Adhesive” – trainees are studying and practicing how to make the different types of joints, including widening joints, frame or corner joints, and mortise and tenon joints.