Menu
Menu
SKILLING YOUTH FOR EMPLOYMENT IN
AGRIBUSINESS (SKY) PROJECT
UGANDA
2015-2020
The Skilling Youth for Employment in Agri-business (SKY) project, implemented by AVSI in Uganda with funding from the Netherlands Embassy aims to enhance sustainable creation of employment for youth in the agribusiness sector in the areas of Lake Kyoga, Elgon, Lake Victoria Crescent, and South-Western Uganda. Through SKY, AVSI will create employment opportunities for 4,000 youth, which will generate a total annual income of $4 million while supporting the initiatives of the Government of Uganda to develop a market, and social and gender-responsive agribusiness skilling. This goal will be achieved through expanding the number of basic and mid-level market oriented opportunities, increasing the quality, relevance and efficiency of agro-institutions, and other skills providers.
about
Skilling Youth for Employment in Agribusiness (SKY) is a 5 year project being implemented by AVSI Foundation in Uganda. The project is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (13 million Euro) and AVSI Foundation (in kind contribution worth 3,5 million Euro). The project aims to enhance sustainable creation of employment for youth in the agribusiness sub-sector in over 30 districts located in the four farming zones of Lake Kyoga, Elgon, Lake Victoria Crescent, and South Western Uganda.
focus
SKY focuses on investing in practical training of the target groups through public and private sector partnerships by:
1. Strengthening the capacity of agri-skills providers in a sustainable way to provide marketable and employable skilling.
2. Providing pre and post-employment support to the skilled youth.
3. Building capacity of strategic agribusiness through skilling and brokerages.
4. Facilitating the Skilling Uganda Authority to be supportive to agri-skilling.
SKY works with public and private sector agri-skilling to enhance competitiveness and trade as one of the fundamental determinants of wealth creation, production and to increase the skills base.
The Skilling Uganda Strategic Plan (BTVET Strategy and Plan, 2012) especially the agribusiness sub-sector is in line with NDP II Theme “Strengthening Uganda’s Competitiveness for Sustainable Wealth Creation, Employment and Inclusive Growth” (NDP II 2015) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, SKY Life Skills component provides youth with the opportunity to acquire life skills that will enhance their lifestyle. A draft of a Life Skills manual has been developed by a contracted consultant and the project intends to reach out to over 2,000 young adults with sexual educational initiatives to compliments skills acquired in Agribusiness.
approach
SKY is a unique agribusiness entrepreneurship training model that integrates a cross-sectional approach involving strategic partnerships with industrial and institutional actors/players for youth skills empowerment and employability. By involving the private sector, SKY sets an alternative to stimulate youth employment within the well-endowed natural resources in the Agricultural sector in Uganda.
SKY theory of change is embedded in overturning practicums, methods, policies and approaches to train youth in Uganda. The main goal is to create a young labor force that will be relevant to the agribusiness sector. SKY project will train 8,000 young adults and will create 4,000 jobs in five years.
The key entry point is through partnerships with employers in the Agribusiness sub-sector to engage in skilling, apprenticeship, internship, mentoring and coaching through close linkages with BTVETS and other training institutions.
objectives
SKY will train 6,000 youth (2,000 in secondary schools and 4,000 through agri-skills providers) with the aim of creating employment for 4,000 young adults to be able to earn a monthly income of at least US 90 by the end of the project.
The overall goal is to improve the relationship among young adults, business communities, BTVETS, private skills providers, government agencies and leaders to create a youthful labor market with relevant skills, and to promote the change of current business models and behaviors.