PHASE 2 IN FULL SWING: HOW PIONEER TECHNICAL INSTITUTE CAN NOW BETTER PREPARE ITS STUDENTS FOR THE JOB MARKET

The Pioneer Technical Institute (PTI) in Iganga, Uganda, has been training young people in various technical fields for over 25 years. Since 2021, the school, with the support of Gered Gereedschap, has been working to further professionalize education and provide more and more young people with opportunities for a future as skilled craftsmen or craftswomen. Initially, the support focused on the fields of woodworking and metalworking. Now, Phase 2 is in full swing, supporting the fields of Motor Vehicle Technology and Fashion & Design. A perfect time for a conversation with Gerald Iswaya, Head of Training at PTI.

Can you tell us something about Pioneer Technical Institute?

Gerald: “Certainly! We have been active for more than 25 years in training young people in various vocational disciplines. We offer both national certificate programs and short-term courses. Our programs include woodworking, fashion and garment design, welding and metalworking, plumbing, and automotive technology. Our mission is not only to teach young people practical skills but also to help them become responsible citizens who can strengthen their communities. PTI is located in Iganga District, in the Busoga Sub-region of Eastern Uganda, but we attract students from all over Uganda, especially from underprivileged communities.”

You started a collaboration with Gered Gereedschap a few years ago. How did that collaboration come about, and what is their role?

Gerald: “That’s correct, we entered into a partnership with Gered Gereedschap in October 2021, after the COVID-19 lockdown. Their support has had a tremendous impact on our institute. They provide support in various ways, such as supplying tools and machinery, strengthening the capacities of our trainers, and providing scholarships for students. Young people from very poor families especially benefit from this support because, without it, they simply would not have the means to study.”

How important are these scholarships for the students and their families?

Gerald: “These scholarships are invaluable. They cover 75% of the tuition fees, while parents contribute 25%. For many families, it is nearly impossible to come up with the full amount, especially because all of our students are boarding. Thanks to these scholarships, they can continue their education and gain skills that will help them build their future.”

What does the support from Gered Gereedschap look like in this second phase of your collaboration?

Gerald: “In this second phase, we are working together to further professionalize the Motor Vehicle Technology and Fashion & Design programs. Gered Gereedschap has provided us with modern equipment, which represents a huge improvement in the quality of our training. Previously, we mainly used hand tools, but now we can train students with more advanced resources.”

Besides scholarships and tools, you also receive training for the instructors, right?

Gerald: “Yes, Gered Gereedschap has provided training for our instructors. They have learned new skills, such as using ICT in education, entrepreneurship, and modern teaching methods. They are now sharing this knowledge with their colleagues, which has improved the quality of our entire teaching staff.”

How has this support changed the education at PTI?

Gerald: “The changes have been significant. Thanks to the support from Gered Gereedschap, we have seen improvements in both the quality of education and the performance of our students. Our connections with the local business community have strengthened. We are receiving more and more internship offers, and we are getting increasingly positive feedback about the quality of our students. Additionally, starter kits provided by Gered Gereedschap have helped graduates to immediately start working in their field. For many of our students, who come from poor families, this would otherwise not have been possible.”

It sounds like the collaboration has had a major impact, both on the institute and on the students.

Gerald: “Absolutely! Thanks to the support from Gered Gereedschap, we have been able to attract more students, train our trainers better, and improve the performance of our students. This partnership has not only strengthened our institute but also improved the future prospects of our students.”

What do you see as the biggest challenge for PTI in the coming years, and how does Gered Gereedschap help with that?

Gerald: “The biggest challenge remains securing enough resources to optimally support our students. Many of them come from poor families and cannot fully finance their education. The support from Gered Gereedschap is therefore essential. Thanks to their contribution, we can continue to offer high-quality training and further professionalize our education. We hope that this collaboration will continue for a long time so that we can help even more young people towards a better future.”