From Unemployment to Opportunity:Amb Fibby’s Inclusive Skilling Program Impacting Tororo.

By Peterson Hiirya.

The Tororo City Workforce Skilling and Vocational Institute is transforming lives by prioritizing opportunities for vulnerable youth through inclusive and practical training.

The institute targets young people aged 16 to 35, including school dropouts, unemployed individuals, and single parents, many of whom previously lacked access to education or stable income.

By focusing on empowerment, the program offers a pathway for these individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

The training program is intensive, lasting four months with three intakes each year. It emphasizes hands-on learning and includes industrial training placements in local enterprises, ensuring that trainees gain real-world experience.

Participants are also supported with small stipends, enabling them to meet basic needs while acquiring skills. This approach is particularly beneficial for vulnerable groups such as single mothers and fathers.

A key strength of the institute is its inclusivity. Admission is open to all, regardless of education level, and even accommodates persons with disabilities. Trainees can enroll in a wide range of courses, including tailoring, hairdressing, welding, agriculture, catering, and entrepreneurship.

Agriculture is especially emphasized, promoting food security, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods through practices like kitchen gardening.

The program is affordable, with students contributing only a fraction of the total training cost due to support from the institute and its partners. Flexible schedules further allow trainees to balance learning with other responsibilities.

Success stories are already emerging, with graduates starting small businesses such as bakeries and farms. As a regional hub attracting students from across eastern Uganda and neighbouring Kenya, the institute demonstrates how practical skills training can drive social and economic transformation.