Teknik & Rekayasa editorial
Open AccessOA2025
Factors Affecting Employability among TVET Graduates in Water, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering: A National Diploma Tracer Study in Uganda (2016–2019)
This tracer study identifies teaching quality, entrepreneurial skills, and first-class diplomas as key predictors of employability among Ugandan TVET graduates, while highlighting structural gaps in industrial training, digital literacy, and hiring networks.
Lilian Nakawala· International Journal of Advanced Research· 2025· DOI 10.37284/ijar.8.2.3842
The core problem
Uganda's economic development relies heavily on a skilled technical workforce, with the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) certifying over 69,000 engineers through National Diploma programs in Water, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. Despite this output, the transition of graduates into meaningful employment remains uneven and under-researched. This study addresses that gap by investigating the factors that influence employability among TVET graduates from 2016 to 2019. It situates the analysis within Uganda's broader skills paradox: persistent technician shortages coexist with a 37% graduate underemployment rate. The research aims to provide evidence for realigning TVET systems with labour market demands, in line with Uganda's Vision 2040.
Innovation
The study employed a mixed-methods tracer design, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection. A total of 249 graduates from National Diploma programs in Water, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering (2016–2019) were surveyed, alongside 39 employers from relevant industries. Quantitative data were analysed using regression models to identify predictors of employability, measured as employment within one year of graduation. Qualitative interviews explored employer perceptions and systemic constraints. The sample was drawn from UBTEB-certified graduates, ensuring relevance to national TVET outcomes. Ethical considerations included informed consent and anonymity. The mixed-methods approach allowed for triangulation of findings, capturing both statistical trends and contextual nuances.
Introduction
Uganda's economic development relies heavily on a skilled technical workforce, with the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) certifying over 69,000 engineers through National Diploma programs in Water, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. Despite this output, the transition of graduates into meaningful employment remains uneven and under-researched. This study addresses that gap by investigating the factors that influence employability among TVET graduates from 2016 to 2019. It situates the analysis within Uganda's broader skills paradox: persistent technician shortages coexist with a 37% graduate underemployment rate. The research aims to provide evidence for realigning TVET systems with labour market demands, in line with Uganda's Vision 2040.
Why it matters
The results underscore a systemic misalignment between TVET training and labour market needs. The positive influence of teaching quality and entrepreneurial skills highlights the importance of pedagogical and attitudinal factors over mere technical content. The negative association with monitored internships points to flaws in implementation—possibly due to poor supervision or irrelevant placements—rather than the concept itself. The digital skills gap reflects curricula that have not kept pace with technological advancements. The reliance on informal networks perpetuates inequities, disadvantaging graduates without social capital. These factors contribute to Uganda's skills paradox: a surplus of underemployed graduates alongside unmet demand for technicians. The study calls for regular curriculum updates, stronger integration of entrepreneurship and digital skills, and restructuring of industrial training models. Such reforms are critical for enhancing workforce preparedness and achieving Vision 2040 goals.
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