Tracer Study of Graduates of National Diploma in Water, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering Programmes 2016-2019
Abstract
The Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) has been assessing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students at certificate and diploma levels since 2011. Over the past decade, nearly 69,821 TVET graduates from technical institutions have entered the workforce across various engineering disciplines. Despite this, little is known about how these graduates transition into employment. To address this gap, UBTEB conducted a Tracer Study of National Diploma Engineering Graduates (2016–2019), focusing on employment timelines, programme relevance, employability factors, employer satisfaction, and curriculum alignment with industry needs. The study employed a structured approach with a sample size of 249 graduates and 39 employers, beginning with graduate survey preparation that included data collection, verification, and strategies to enhance response rates. Data analysis was performed using Excel and STATA, with a logistic econometric model applied to assess employability determinants. The findings revealed that while most graduates secure employment within a year, systemic challenges persist in curriculum relevance (particularly digital skills gaps), ineffective internships, and unequal job access. Employers highly value graduates' practical skills, but misalignments exist between training and industry needs. Teaching quality, entrepreneurial training, and academic performance emerged as critical employability drivers, though informal hiring networks create uneven opportunities. While employers praise technical competencies, they increasingly demand stronger soft skills. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive reforms to modernise curricula, strengthen work-based learning, and expand career support services to better align Uganda's TVET system with evolving labour market requirements and technological advancements. Recommendations emphasise improving education quality, teaching methods, and entrepreneurial training to enhance graduate employability and align skills with labour market demands. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders to strengthen Uganda’s TVET system
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References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Lilian Nakawala, Abel Mukakanya Muwumba, Sam Patrick Ogwang, Wilfred Karukuza Nahamya, Onesimus Oyesigye
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