In an era where employment opportunities are increasingly scarce, particularly in rural regions like Uganda’s West Nile, vocational education and life skills training have never been more crucial. With a rapidly growing workforce and a backdrop of economic instability, the challenge is clear: how can we equip young people with the tools they need to secure meaningful employment and contribute to their communities? The answer lies in inclusive and practical learning methodologies—an approach now being championed through a collaborative initiative funded by the European Union Erasmus+ program.
The Systemic Approach to Strengthening Agribusiness Vocational Education and Training (SASA-VET) project, backed by a €400,000 grant, is transforming vocational training in Uganda’s West Nile region. Implemented by Cordaid, CINOP, and Rikolto alongside three vocational institutions—Pride Agricultural and Technical Institute, Koboko Technical Institute, and Lodonga Polytechnic School—the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between education and employability by fostering skills that matter in the real world.
The project is specifically focused on the agricultural sector, recognizing its vast potential in a region with an increasing population, partly due to the presence of refugees. With the influx of people, the demand for food and employment is rising, making it essential to enhance agricultural production and business opportunities. Lincoln Opio, Program Manager for Agri-Food System Strengthening with Cordaid Uganda, explains that the goal is to expose young people to opportunities in agribusiness by equipping them with both technical and practical skills.
Too often, vocational training focuses solely on technical know-how, leaving students ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of professional life. SASA-VET takes a different approach. By embedding essential life skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork into the curriculum, the program ensures that graduates emerge not only as skilled workers but as adaptable and confident individuals ready to take on the job market.
This is particularly crucial in West Nile, a region hosting over 700,000 refugees and facing significant economic challenges. With limited job opportunities and barriers to higher education, young people in the area need more than just technical training—they need resilience, adaptability, and the ability to innovate in an unpredictable world.
Dr. Geoffrey Bakole, Director of Pride Agricultural and Technical Institute in Arua City, highlights that this project helps youth achieve self-reliance through training in agri-business, horticulture, agricultural trade, vegetable production, and apiary. “As a trainer of trainers, I will be able to teach others, including within my institution. This will help the youth improve their skills and earnings,” he says.
A key pillar of the SASA-VET initiative is the Train-the-Trainer (ToT) model, designed to create a ripple effect of knowledge and expertise. In March 2025, 20 tutors from the participating VET centres underwent intensive training in pedagogical-didactical techniques, curriculum development, and effective lesson planning. By empowering educators, the project ensures that life skills education is not just a one-time intervention but a sustainable part of vocational training in the region.
These trained tutors will now lead the charge in refining institutional policies, developing a localized curriculum, and mentoring fellow educators. This approach doesn’t just strengthen individual schools—it builds a resilient education ecosystem capable of adapting to the region’s evolving needs.
The initiative also emphasizes hands-on training, with plans to establish demonstration farms and group-based farming activities where young people can apply their acquired skills. Climate-smart agricultural practices, such as simple bottle irrigation, will be promoted to ensure sustainable and affordable farming techniques.
Education must be relevant to the labor market, and this is where SASA-VET goes beyond conventional approaches. Moving forward, CORDAID, CINOP, and Rikolto will provide continued coaching and mentorship, ensuring that the Euroguidance Career Compass and the GROW ME coaching model are effectively contextualized for Ugandan VET institutes. Additionally, the initiative aims to forge strong linkages between VET centres and local economic stakeholders, ensuring that graduates are not just trained but employed.
Kleinendurst Willem, Advisor at CINOP, highlights that the program also integrates financial literacy and community funding as part of its holistic approach. Meanwhile, Wilco Visscher, the international project manager at CINOP, emphasizes that the project aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) to ensure long-term sustainability.
The SASA-VET project represents more than just a well-funded initiative—it embodies a shift in mindset. It is a call to action for policymakers, educators, and development partners to rethink vocational training as a holistic process that prepares young people not just for jobs, but for life. If we are to truly empower Uganda’s youth, vocational education must move beyond the classroom, integrating skills that enable young people to thrive in an ever-changing world.
By embedding life skills into VET systems, we are not only strengthening the workforce but also laying the foundation for a more self-reliant, innovative, and economically stable Uganda. The time to act is now.
