Kibenge urged leaders to champion the initiative, saying it reinforces corporate social responsibility and demonstrates leadership in national skills development.
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The Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development (MGLSD) is calling on the banking and insurance industry to increase participation in the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP). Permanent Secretary Aggrey David Kibenge emphasized that hosting apprentices is a strategic investment, reducing recruitment costs and strengthening workforce readiness.
The NAP has achieved significant success, with over 1,146 young people benefiting from apprenticeship training and 73% transitioning into employment. The programme aims to bridge skills gaps and enhance employability.
Kibenge urged leaders to champion the initiative, saying it reinforces corporate social responsibility and demonstrates leadership in national skills development.
During a strategic meeting with the banking and insurance industry at the Ministry on Tuesday, Kibenge urged the leaders to champion the NAP initiative within their respective institutions and across the wider financial sector.
Represented by Zachary Kansiime, the Senior Skills Development, Technology Uptake and Innovation Officer, the PS emphasized that hosting apprentices is not merely a compliance requirement, but also a strategic investment.
“Hosting Apprentices builds a pipeline of skilled professionals familiar with your systems, culture, and standards. Over time, this reduces recruitment costs, strengthens workforce readiness, and enhances institutional sustainability,” Kibenge said. “It also reinforces your corporate social responsibility and demonstrates leadership in national skills development.”
The NAP is part of Government’s commitment to strengthening structured and quality apprenticeships. This follows Cabinet approval of the Uganda National Apprenticeship Framework (UNAF) under Minute No. 358 (CT 2018). The Programme is designed to bridge skills gaps by equipping young people with practical, industry-relevant competencies that enhance their employability and productivity.
Commenting on the programme’s achievements so far, Kibenge said that with support from Government and development partners such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Enabel, and CSC Koblenz, over 1,146 young people have benefited from apprenticeship training across various sectors; with 73% successfully transitioning into employment.
“Additionally, 242 graduate volunteers have been supported with funding from UNDP and the Government of Uganda, achieving an employment transition rate of 78%,” he said. “These outcomes demonstrate the programme’s effectiveness in addressing skills mismatches and promoting sustainable employment.”
In his presentation, Ibrahim Wako Kisu, NAP’s Work Based Learning Officer, clarified to the members the difference between the two major components of the programme. He explained that Apprenticeship combines on-the-job and off-the-job training, equipping participants with the skills required for specific occupations, and ends with formal assessment and certification.
“However, Graduate Volunteerism involves the engagement of individuals of working age in unpaid work aimed at acquiring employable skills, gaining work experience, building professional networks, and enhancing social standing,” Kisu said.
He added that whereas the host institutions provide placement and training opportunities, MGLSD provides strategic guidance and technical oversight, and ensures that the programme aligns with the Ministry’s mandate on employment, youth skilling, labour administration and social development.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Bank of Uganda, Uganda Bankers Association, Insurance Regulatory Authority, Uganda Insurers Association, Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services, Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union, Insurance Training College, aBi Finance, Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda, and Financial Intelligence Authority.
