Is Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) a Silver Bullet for Youth Unemployment in Uganda? A Critical Political Economy Perspective

Youth unemployment is one of the most enduring socio-economic problems in Uganda, even though there have been continuous policy reforms and increased investment in education and skills training. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has generally been encouraged as a solution to this issue on the basis that practical skills lead to better employability, higher productivity, and greater chances of self-employment. The present article critically looks into whether TVET can genuinely be seen as a "silver bullet" for youth unemployment in Uganda. Using Human Capital Theory, Political Economy Theory, and Labour Market Segmentation Theory, the paper states that although TVET does improve individual capabilities, technical competence, and entrepreneurial potential, its impact on employment is limited by structural factors in the Ugandan economy. These factors are limited industrialisation, weak labour demand, a high level of informality, insufficient financing, and weaknesses within the TVET system itself. The research makes use of a qualitative, desk-top method which is guided by a critical political economy approach and involves looking at policy documents, reports from institutions, and empirical literature. The results indicate that TVET helps in the acquisition of skills and could enhance work readiness, but it on its own cannot produce enough employment in an economy that has limited capacity to absorb labour. The article states that TVET is necessary but not sufficient on its own as a means of tackling youth unemployment. If sustainable reductions in youth unemployment are to take place in Uganda, an integrated policy strategy must connect TVET with industrialisation, enterprise development, and access to finance, as well as labour market reform and wider economic transformation. Instead of viewing skills development as a separate initiative, policymakers should incorporate TVET into a broader employment creation strategy that takes account of both the supply and demand sides of the labour market.

TVET, youth unemployment, Uganda, political economy, employability, skills development

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