Uganda: Vocational Training and Tailoring Shop Program
Q1, 2016: New Session Starting
June 06, 2016
Summary of Activities
The enrollment of trainees for the January 2016 intake was conducted on the December 14, 2015. The January-March intake students are expected to complete their training on April 11, 2016. This report covers the vocational training conducted in all four departments: Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Tailoring and Garment Cutting, Bricklaying and Concrete Practice, and Carpentry and Joinery. The report details the activities so far held, highlighting program achievements, challenges, and lessons learned during the implementation period.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Trainee Orientation
Beginning of a New Class
January 12, 2016 was orientation day at the Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute. The day’s program involved talking to the enrolled trainees as a group, introducing them to the institute’s staff, explaining the rules and regulations of the institute, the boundaries of the institute, and trainees’ responsibilities. Trainees were then separated into their individual departments and departmental curriculum was introduced and explained to them. All the day’s activities aimed at tuning the newly enrolled trainees to embrace the institution’s program, which demands commitment from both the instructors and the trainees for time and practice.
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
Class Update
For this intake, there are 27 total students, 15 of which are refugees benefiting from this program. In the first module of training, students learn about acceptable safety measures when dealing with clients as well as health hazards. In the second module, they are guided through customer service policies and how to demonstrate hospitality. The third module, the students then receive hands on learning about hairdressing techniques.
Bricklaying and Concrete Practice
Class Update
There were a total of 14 trainees enrolled for this period, 13 of which were refugees. In the first module, students learn about observing safety and health hazards in work environments. The second module equips students with knowledge and skills to use basic hand tools as well as how to take care of their tools. The third module covers concrete and mortar, which is how to identify and apply materials. The final module covers basic types of walls and the process of application.
Carpentry and Joinery
Class Update
For this class, there are 13 students enrolled, 7 of which are refugees. Their first module for this group reflects safety and health risks in their working environments. This includes caring for and storing tools and equipment. The second module teaches students about the different types of timber and correct storage practices. The third module teaches students to use different types of hand tools and also teaching measurements. The final module allows the students to learn and practice different types of joints used in wood making.
Tailoring and Garment Cutting
Class Update
This class holds 41 new students, 32 of which are refugees. In similar fashion, the first module teaches safety and health hazards. The second module teaches students to identity and use different types of tools and maintain their tools. The third module then introduces students to a sewing machine. The fourth module learn about different materials and textiles. The final module then learn different construction techniques.
Training Progress
an excellent class of students
Trainees’ general attendance been good, although training days were interrupted by national public holidays for presidential, parliamentary, mayoral, and council elections. The Vocational Training Institute was obliged to follow the national directives so as to allow trainees and instructors to participate in their national rights. Settlement programs of food distribution also affected attendance of trainees; whenever there were food distribution activities in the settlement, trainees went to get their rations. Four trainees intentionally or unintentionally dropped out of the training and these included three from the TGC and one from the HDBT departments.
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
More
Photos
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Numbers
Served
A total of 95 trainees were enrolled for the January-March 2016 intake: 59 are female and 36 are male.
From the above, the total number of refugees enrolled is 67.
Success
Stories
Visitors to the School
On January 19, 2016, the Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute received visitors from BTC Uganda. During their visit to the Vocational Training Institute, they were informed of training progress at the institute, achievements, challenges, and planned activities. They also visited the Vocational Training Institute’s 4 departments and met trainees in each department.
Progress on the Construction of Classrooms
The Bricklaying and Concrete Practice (BCP) project was initiated by RMF founder and CEO, Dr. Martina Fuchs, during her visit to the Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute on November 30, 2015. During the staff meeting, she challenged the staff and management to establish revenue creation streams within departments and to create lasting legacies at the institute. The various departments were challenged to come up with ways to create revenue in their departments.
For this, it was agreed that the BCP department would set and build a new structure for the Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (HBT) department to expand the department’s existing small lecture room and salon. As a result, the BCP instructor came up with the Bill of Quantities, and Dr. Martina secured funds for the building. The trainees who were completing their BCP skills training were involved in the construction of this building, which began December 7, 2015.
The BCP project made tremendous progress during the month of February, with the completion of inside and outside wall plastering, and the installation of all nine windows and one external door installed. Trainees (supervised by their teacher) also completed the veranda, shed, and a ramp outside the building. They also screeded the floor throughout the building and built a doorframe for the inside door. The pictures below show the project building as of February 29, 2016.
Norah Gulia
Norah is one of the successful women from Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute. After her graduation, she worked for an employer for few months, and with her savings, she was able to open her own salon near the market in Bweyale. Though the beginning was rough since Norah had no customers, in time she settled into the business and established a customer base. Norah’s business has been able to grow well, enabling her to earn an income, which she can use to susutain her home and take care of her siblings. Not only has Norah done that, but she has also been able to pay school fees for her child. Norah thanks RMF for giving her the knowledge that is helping her and her family. She said that she prevously could not provide many of the basic needs for herself, her child, and siblings, but now she can with the help of RMF’s vocational training in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.
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