For generations, many Ugandans have acquired valuable vocational skills through practical experience in various workplaces, including garages, construction sites, and farms. Despite their competence in areas such as mechanics, building, welding, and carpentry, they have often been denied better employment opportunities due to the lack of formal certificates. This challenge is set to be addressed with the introduction of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) provisions under the TVET Act, 2025.
The RPL provisions create a pathway for workers to have their skills assessed and formally certified. This reform acknowledges that education and skills development do not only occur in schools and training institutions but also through practical experience, observation, and practice under experienced artisans. The system will enable workers to have their competencies assessed against established occupational standards, and those who meet the required benchmarks can receive nationally recognised certificates.
The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) is mandated to assess and certify practical competencies in general vocational trades. The assessment will focus on what candidates can actually do, rather than relying solely on written examinations or classroom knowledge. This approach is considered fair and practical, as it recognises that a person who has spent years mastering a trade should not be forced to start from zero simply because their education took place outside a formal institution.
To be certified, applicants must register through licensed and accredited UVTAB assessment centres, such as vocational institutes, polytechnics, and other approved training providers. They may be required to present identification and evidence of their experience, including recommendation letters or examples of previous work. This process aims to ensure that the certification is based on a thorough assessment of the individual's skills and competencies.
If implemented properly, the RPL system could improve workers' access to formal employment, contracts, further training, and better wages. It could also help employers identify competent workers and strengthen Uganda's skilled labor force. Furthermore, certification may allow workers to progress to higher levels within the national qualification's framework, improving their competitiveness both locally and internationally.
The reform carries an important message about dignity, as skilled workers should not be treated as unqualified simply because of the knowledge acquired outside a classroom. Their experience, effort, and contribution to the economy deserve recognition. The TVET Act, 2025, presents an opportunity to correct an old imbalance in Uganda's education and employment systems by turning years of practical experience into recognised qualifications.
The introduction of the RPL system is expected to have a positive impact on thousands of Ugandans who have acquired skills through work. With fair assessment and proper certification, their experience can become a pathway to better jobs, career progression, and a more secure future. Uganda should embrace the RPL system as a way of valuing all forms of learning, and a certificate should confirm competence, not erase the value of experience.
Key points
- The TVET Act 2025 introduces a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system to certify skills acquired through work.
- The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) will assess and certify practical competencies.
- The RPL system aims to improve workers' access to formal employment, contracts, and better wages.
