The framework aligns Ugandan qualifications with international standards, streamlining the recognition and validation of qualifications obtained outside the country. It aims to ensure that Ugandan workers can benefit from international training and employment opportunities.
The Ugandan government has taken a significant step by developing a comprehensive qualifications framework to facilitate the migration of labor and enhance training opportunities for Ugandan citizens abroad.
The framework aligns Ugandan qualifications with international standards, streamlining the recognition and validation of qualifications obtained outside the country. It aims to ensure that Ugandan workers can benefit from international training and employment opportunities.
The development of the National Qualifications Framework will be led by the Ministry of Education and Sports, addressing the challenges faced by Ugandan professionals seeking employment or training abroad. Recognizing the importance of aligning Ugandan qualifications with international standards in the context of globalization and the increasing demand for skilled workers, the government is committed to this endeavor.
The new framework will integrate existing sub-frameworks and provide the ministry with access to the progress of participants in educational institutions and the world of work within and outside Uganda.
MES Permanent Secretary Ketty Lamaro explained that the framework will serve as an instrument for comparing the qualifications of each participant and identifying opportunities for skills improvement.
“Our education system lacks an instrument that describes qualifications and this has been a disadvantage to us at various levels, especially during the rating of qualifications,” she said. She estimated that the framework will be fully developed within 30 months.
By aligning the qualifications framework with international standards, the Ugandan government aims to enhance the mobility of skilled workers and expand their opportunities beyond the domestic job market. This initiative is expected to foster economic growth and promote the transfer of knowledge and skills from abroad to benefit the country’s development.
In addition to facilitating labor migration, the framework will also serve as a valuable resource for employers. It will enable them to accurately assess the skills and qualifications of potential Ugandan employees who have received training or education abroad, thereby creating a more transparent and efficient recruitment process that benefits both employers and job seekers.
“With the presence of a national qualifications framework, competencies required for one person to join a given level of education will be agreed upon by all countries,” said Jane Egau Okou, director for higher technical, vocational education and training, who is also the chairperson of the committee overseeing the development of the framework.
The government’s initiative to develop a qualifications framework reflects its commitment to supporting the professional development and international mobility of Ugandan citizens. By facilitating access to training and employment opportunities abroad, the framework will contribute to the country’s overall economic growth and enable its workforce to compete globally.
