School of Education

‘’Practical Skills for Employment Enterprise and Community Transformation’’

About

The Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is one of the academic departments in the School of Education at Universal Technology and Management University (UTAMU). The Department provides competence-based technical, vocational and professional education that equips learners with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship, career advancement and community transformation.

The Department maintains high standards in training, assessment and learner support. Its programmes are implemented in accordance with UTAMU’s quality-assurance framework and the applicable requirements of the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) and other relevant national authorities.

Vision

To become a leading centre of excellence in competence-based technical and vocational education and training for employment, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

Mission

To provide accessible, industry-responsive and technology-enabled technical and vocational education that equips learners with practical competencies, professional values and entrepreneurial skills for the changing world of work.

Our Objectives

The objectives of the Department are to:

• Deliver competence-based education and training aligned with labour-market and industry needs.
• Equip learners with practical skills for employment, self-employment and enterprise development.
• Offer Assessment and Training Packages and other occupationally focused programmes.
• Integrate digital literacy, innovation, entrepreneurship and professional ethics into vocational training.
• Promote the assessment and recognition of competencies acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning.
• Strengthen collaboration with employers, government agencies, professional bodies and community organisations.
• Support instructors, assessors and workplace supervisors through continuing professional development.
• Undertake applied research and community engagement addressing skills-development needs.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Assessment and recognition of competencies acquired through employment, apprenticeship, community practice and other forms of informal learning, subject to applicable national requirements.

Training Opportunities

1. Assessment and Training Packages (ATPs)
   Short, occupation-focused programmes designed to develop and assess specific workplace competencies. The ATPs are developed and reviewed by the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) to standardize competence-based vocational education and training in Uganda. They are accredited by TVET Council for UVTAB awards.
   
   Assessment and Training Packages (ATPs) are standardised, employer-informed packages used to guide competence-based training and assessment in specific occupations. Most ATP programmes are short and intensive, commonly lasting approximately three months, depending on the occupation and competence level. They emphasise practical performance and the learner’s ability to demonstrate relevant workplace competencies.
   
   Training may include:

• • Practical demonstrations and supervised practice
  • Workplace-based assignments
  • Projects and production tasks
  • Continuous competence assessment
  • Professional conduct and occupational safety
  • Entrepreneurship and digital workplace skills
  • Final assessment in accordance with applicable UVTAB requirements

2. Certificate and Diploma Programmes
   The department runs national certificates and diplomas accredited by the TVET Council leading to nationally recognised awards. These awards are awarded by Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB).

3. Professional Short Courses
   Flexible skills-development courses for employees, entrepreneurs, school leavers, organisations and members of the community.

4. Customised Workplace and Institutional Training
   Tailor-made training programmes developed in collaboration with employers, government agencies, development partners and community organisations. A detailed list of available programmes and ATPs, together with their admission requirements, duration, fees and delivery arrangements, is provided under the Department’s programme listings.

Our Training Approach

The Department uses a learner-centred and competence-based approach that combines:

• Hands-on practical training
• Relevant supporting theory
• Simulations and workplace scenarios
• Project-based learning
• Industry and community engagement
• Blended learning and digital resources
• Continuous assessment and feedback
• Workplace exposure where applicable

Training is facilitated by qualified instructors, assessors, industry practitioners and subject specialists.

Who  Can Apply

The Department welcomes:

• School leavers seeking practical career skills
• Youth preparing for employment or self-employment
• Employees seeking to upgrade or certify their skills
• Entrepreneurs and small-business owners
• Artisans and practitioners seeking recognition of existing competencies
• Teachers and vocational instructors seeking professional development
• Organisations requiring customised staff training
• Community members seeking livelihood and enterprise skills

Admission requirements vary according to the programme or Assessment and Training Package. Some programmes have open-entry arrangements, while others require specified academic qualifications or occupational experience.

Why Study TVET at UTAMU

Learners benefit from:

• Competence-based and practical training
• Technology-supported teaching and learning
• Flexible physical, online and blended delivery, where appropriate
• Exposure to entrepreneurship, innovation and digital skills
• Training informed by employers and workplace requirements
• Opportunities for professional and academic progression
• A learning environment that promotes integrity, creativity and lifelong learning

Industry and Community Partnerships

The Department works with employers, government agencies, development partners, professional bodies and community organisations to ensure that its programmes respond to Uganda’s skills-development priorities.

Areas of collaboration include:

• Identification of priority occupational skills
• Development and delivery of customised training
• Workplace learning and mentorship
• Assessment and certification
• Instructor and assessor development
• Equipment and training support
• Applied research and innovation
• Community skills-development initiatives

Organisations interested in partnering with the Department or requesting customised training are invited to contact UTAMU.