WE MUST DO SOMETHING TO REDUCE YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

 A youth informed me that he had a business but was struggling to raise capital to expand his business. This is one of the countless youths who are struggling to make ends meet. The national statistics show that Uganda is one of the countries with the young generation. Over 70% of Ugandans are below 30 years of age.  This can be a blessing if most of the youths are economically active. The government is doing its best to ensure that the youths have access to dignified employment though it is an uphill task that can not be overcome in an instant. The private sector players are also playing a critical role in reducing unemployment. A number of banks have introduced youth friendly loans coupled with providing free financial literacy training.  In other wards every stakeholder is doing something and can do something. 

I have been privileged to mentor a number of university students and  I should attest that Uganda's youths are very enterprising and are willing to learn when guided. I applaud universities because they are also playing a critical role in nurturing the future leaders of Uganda. However the youths need to be proactive in seeking career changing opportunities immediately when they join university. Some proactive university graduates have got scholarships out of attending leadership conferences. The youths should get out of the comfort zone and network. There are a number of programs that are aimed at nurturing the entrepreneurial capacity of Uganda's youths. What stops a university student from learning a carpentry or baking? Some times our degrees make us so important to learn vocational skills yet that is where there is real money. Students from vocational schools are able to learn tailoring or baking and they start making products to sale on the market when a university student is looking for a job in a limited and competitive job market. Iam not trying to either discredit a university degree but I aim at informing the university graduates that adding a vocational skill is a step in the right direction. Bill Gates did not wait to complete his degree to start Microsoft. Today he is one of the wealthiest men in the world.

In his great book After University What Next, Ambrose Kibuuka challenges university graduates that there is no useless degree. Music Dance and Drama was at one time an underestimated degree but times have changed. Musicians are some of the most influential and well paid people in the world. Holly Wood stars are billionaires. So what is needed is to change the mindsets of the youths so that they stop undermining creation jobs. Garbage collecting companies are making a lot of money. The garbage industry is employing thousands of people. So it seems the world is looking for problem solvers and they might disregard your transcript if one proves they can add value to the world. In fact some one noted that the world does not mind about who you are. They mind about what one has accomplished.

HOW A YOUTH CAN BE RELEVANT IN THE 21ST CENTURY

1. Must have a clear vision for their lives.

2. Should prioritize learning practical skills

3.Should focus on solving the world's problems.

4.Should focus on service above self

5.Should network

6. Should associate with successful people

7.Should build their confidence

8.Should manage their money

9.Should have a curious mindset.

10. Should think long term

11. Should utilize opportunities that life presents.


Uganda's youths are very enterprising. I have witnessed that because I mentor a number of them . The issue is that despite the lack of jobs for many who graduate per year some thing needs and can be done to avert youth unemployment. The biggest stakeholders in averting the youth unemployment dilemma are the youths themselves. We need to develop them into agents of positive transformation.

Phillip Kiryowa

Personal Finance Coach

Advanced Empowerment Link

+256752615916

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