5,000 university students to benefit from NSSF career development drive
- Students to get skills on succeeding in the gig economy.
Patrick Ayota, the NSSF Ag. The Managing Director has challenged the youth to try alternative work opportunities to make a living as they search for their dream job in formal employment.
He made remarks while launching the 2023 NSSF annual career Expo which is expected to benefit over 5,000 students in seven universities countrywide, with a focus on empowering them with skills to succeed in the emerging gig economy.
The two-week expo theme, Succeeding in the gig economy- the future of jobs, will be held from 17th April 2023 to 28th April in Makerere University Business school, Makerere University, Isbat university, Kyambogo university, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, Bishop Stuart university and Kampala international university.
At least 41 percent of youth, which represents 9.3 million aged between 18 and 30 years are not engaged in any productive activity, according to findings in the 2021 Uganda National Labour Force Survey, conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
“We are cognizant of the fact that gig work is increasingly becoming important as a potential pathway to employment creation, given that the youth unemployment rate in Uganda is high. It is our plan, therefore, to help university students learn, explore and earn from this alternative work opportunity in this year’s career expo.” Patrick says.
He adds that students will learn how to unlock their intrinsic skill set to flourish in the gig market, balancing gig work with a permanent job, turning gig work into a flourishing business, financial literacy among others.
According to him, the Fund would like to use this platform to enhance students’ knowledge on their right to social security and its importance. Now that the NSSF Amendment Act provides for mandatory contributions for all employees, it is critical, more than ever to enlighten the students and even recruit them to NSSF early enough, kickstart their journey to social security.
This year’s expo is organized in partnership with Absa bank and Brighter Monday, an online jobs platform that connects job seekers with employers.
Speaking at same activity held at Makerere University Business School, Helen Nangonzi Basuuta, the Absa Bank’s Marketing and Customer Experience Director has noted that they partnered with the Fund for this initiative to further support university students as they transitioned from the world of education to employment.
“Absa shall support the organisation of the expo with shs30m contribution and further help participating students to develop their employment or self-employment prospects by accessing online career guidance, skills-related short courses and job search tools, among other resources, through our Ready to Work initiative.” She adds.
The NSSF career expo was initiated 12 years ago to enable university students prepare for life after university by equipping them with skills and knowledge to increase their employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
To-date, the Fund has reached 155,000 students across various universities countrywide.