St Joseph’s Technical Institute to introduce oil and gas courses

The discovery of oil and gas in the Albert and the Rwenzori regions has prompted St Joseph’s Technical Institute Virika in Kabarole district to start course units in oil and gas training.

Speaking during the 4th graduation ceremony of the institute on Saturday, the Principle Edison Mirembe said that the institute is in its final stages of introducing oil and gas courses.

Started 1920’s by the missionaries with aim of empowering and developing skills among the youths, will be the first high learning institution to introduce oil and gas in western Uganda.

Mirembe revealed that the institute has already applied to the ministry of education and sports to have some of its staff trained in oil and gas.

“We have already applied to the ministry of education and sports to train oil and gas technicians,” Mirembe said.

He attributed the increasing youth unemployment in Uganda to the poor training they acquire but does not equip them with skills in job creation.

Mirembe urged government to pay the universal post primary education and training funds on time to ensure that the academic calendar provides room for students to go for industrial training to enable them get used to the field of work.

The state minister for primary education Kamanda Bataringaya who was the chief guest at the graduation said government is determined to support all vocational institutions whose target is to develop skills amongst the youth.

“As government we shall continue fulfilling our obligations in supporting the youth  so that they can acquire the skills and  a positive attitude towards vocational trainings,” Bataringaya said.

Elijah Biryabalema, the Resident District Commissioner of Kabarole appealed to the grandaunts’ parents to provide them with startup capital so that they can establish private enterprises given the skills they have acquired.

A total of 261 students were awarded certificates and diplomas in different disciplines of motor vehicle and electrical engineering, carpentry and joinery, brick laying and concrete practice, plumbing among others.

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