Nebbi Providence Vocational School graduates 289, boosts youth employment opportunities

A total of 289 students have graduated with employable skills from Nebbi Providence Vocational School under Nebbi Catholic Diocese, as the institution strengthens efforts to expand employment opportunities for young people during its third graduation ceremony held at the school compound in Nebbi Municipality on Saturday.

The students underwent two years of intensive training in different courses, including fashion and design, carpentry and joinery, catering, hairdressing, and motor vehicle mechanics and maintenance.

The ceremony, held under the theme “Skilled Hands, Godly Hearts, Transform Community,” saw 116 students graduate with skills in tailoring, 114 in hairdressing, 29 in bakery, and 12 in catering, among others.

The students showcased and exhibited their handiwork before hundreds of parents as soothing musical ballads played to add glamour to the occasion.

The students displayed suits, gomesi, priests’ wear, and other sophisticated outfits they had made during their training.

The school principal, Sister Emanuela Loise, from the Congregation of the Daughters of Providence, gave glory to God for the milestone, while calling for support towards the school's growth.

 She said the institution was also offering an Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme under Makerere University.

“We are grateful to God for this blessing, and we still call upon you, our dear listeners, to continue supporting Providence Vocational School,” she said.

She also urged the students to be a light and showcase their skills in the outside world.

“As we send you out, let's not forget our mandate to transform the community around. Don't be idle; God has blessed you,” she added.

Sister Emma Mudrik, who represented the Superior General of the Daughters of Providence, urged the students to believe in their mission.

“Believe in this mission to change your physical and spiritual life,” she said.

Nebbi Providence Vocational School is directly addressing youth unemployment challenges in Northern Uganda, where the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) census findings show that the Northern Region had the highest share of young people outside employment, education and training, at 50.6 per cent, followed by Eastern, Western and Central regions.

Meanwhile, the board chairperson, Anthony Okwir, aligning his message with the biblical teaching in Proverbs 10:4, urged graduates to become job creators and innovators grounded in the belief in God and honesty.

“These young individuals are no longer looking out into the world begging for employment opportunities. They are stepping forth into the marketplace as proactive job creators, innovators, and pillars of development for the greater Nebbi community and beyond,” he noted.

The Vicar General, representing the Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese, called on the graduates to uphold honesty and professionalism as they seek to establish themselves in the labour market.

“And so I ask you, as you go out, try as much as possible, out of what we are saying, ‘Godly hearts,’ to get one virtue which can make you stand out as a worker. And people come to you because of that. And even they refer others to you because of that one attribute that you have. It can be your honesty,” he said.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the 2024 National Population and Housing Census found that 16.7 per cent of young people aged 15–24 were unemployed. The rate was higher among females, at 18.7 per cent, compared with 14.7 per cent among males.

Meanwhile, Jacklin Opar, the Mayor of Nebbi Municipality, urged the skilled graduates, especially female students, to remain focused and use the money they earn to support their families and share responsibilities to build stable families in the future.

From 2014 to date, Nebbi Providence Vocational School under Nebbi Catholic Diocese has trained more than 4,000 students who have become independent and job creators through the employable skills they attained.

The institution is among the vocational training centres under Nebbi Catholic Diocese, alongside Comboni Vocational Training Centre in Angal, that equip students with employable skills and promote spiritual growth through the work of God.

Mr Robert Abak, the Nebbi Resident District Commissioner, commended the Catholic Church for establishing the school, saying it was supplementing government efforts to promote youth skilling.

“As a district, we don't have a government-aided vocational school, but you stepped in to bridge the gap. That's why I'm so proud of you,” Abak noted, adding that “it is the wish of His Excellency the President and the government of Uganda that we skill the youths.”

The school is registered with TVET in Uganda and currently has more than 700 students undertaking training at the centre. All the graduating students are to be awarded certificates.

The chief guest, Dr Wilfred Nahamya, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), commended the Catholic Church for complementing government efforts to promote vocational skills development.

“Skilling is part of the broader government reform and efforts to skill Ugandans. We commend the church for exactly doing that,” he explained.

He added, “Degrees are no longer giving us jobs; let's embrace skilling programmes.”

Nebbi Providence Vocational School was established in 2014 by the Daughters of Providence, with the blessing of the then Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese, Bishop Sanctus Linus Wanok, to directly address the challenges faced by disadvantaged young people by providing employable skills, improving livelihoods, and promoting self-reliance and independence.

The vocational training centre has trained more than 4,000 students and currently has over 700 learners.