KCB Foundation Uganda has stepped up efforts to improve youth employment by providing vocational trainees with safety equipment and business skills, helping them make a smoother transition from the classroom into the workplace or self-employment.
The support, delivered under the Foundation’s flagship Twekozese Vocational Skilling Programme, targets young people and women undergoing hands-on training at partner vocational institutions across Uganda.
Beneficiaries at Lugogo Vocational Training Institute and Zziwa Hair Academy received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) alongside Business Development Services (BDS) training aimed at strengthening their employability and entrepreneurial skills.
The initiative recognises that while technical training equips beneficiaries with practical skills, many still face challenges such as the high cost of safety gear and limited business knowledge, factors that often delay their entry into the labour market.
At Lugogo Vocational Training Institute, students pursuing Electrical Installation with Solar received overalls, safety helmets, workshop boots and other protective equipment required for practical sessions, industrial placements and future employment.
They also underwent business training covering financial management, pricing, customer relations, business planning and entrepreneurship, as well as guidance on workplace expectations and internship preparedness.
Hairdressing trainees at Zziwa Hair Academy in Nansana also benefited from business development training focused on customer service, professionalism, managing competition and business growth.
They additionally received aprons and branded polo shirts to enhance their professional image during internships and future employment.
Stephen Kibuuka, Business Development Manager at KCB Foundation Uganda, said the Foundation’s goal is to ensure beneficiaries are fully prepared to convert their vocational skills into sustainable livelihoods.
“At KCB Foundation Uganda, we believe that true empowerment goes beyond training. It means ensuring young people have the practical tools, business knowledge and confidence to turn their skills into meaningful employment or successful enterprises. Whether it is a solar technician in Lugogo or a hairdresser in Nansana, our role is to enable their journey from learning to earning,” Kibuuka said.
The support was welcomed by vocational institutions, which said access to protective equipment and business knowledge significantly improves graduates’ chances of securing employment.
Buriga Henry Johnson, Deputy Principal of Lugogo Vocational Training Institute, described the PPE donation as a critical intervention, noting that many trainees struggle to afford the equipment required before undertaking industrial placements.
“This PPE handover means our trainees can now step out of the classroom and into real workshops and job sites with the appropriate safety equipment. For many learners, this is the missing link between completing training and beginning a career,” he said.
A trainer at Zziwa Hair Academy said the business training complements technical instruction by preparing graduates to manage clients, grow businesses and compete effectively in the beauty industry.
The latest engagements are part of ongoing support for 200 beneficiaries enrolled under the 2026 Twekozese cohort, currently undertaking vocational training at 10 partner institutions across Uganda.
Through the Twekozese programme, KCB Foundation Uganda aims to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and employment by providing practical resources, business knowledge and workplace readiness support.
The Foundation says the initiative is helping young people and women build sustainable livelihoods, create jobs and contribute to Uganda’s economic development.