The government through the State Department for Labour is undertaking a one month enumeration exercise to map out the skill sets available and jobs being created by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
Speaking on Friday during a spot check of the ongoing enumeration exercise at Malaba town in Teso North, State department of Labour Principal Secretary Peter Tum said the exercise will help in future formulation of government policies besides ensuring that the SMEs play a critical part in supporting the Big Four Agenda.
Tum said the informal sector plays a significant role in the country’s development as it employs about 80 per cent of the youthful population.
“As a ministry we are looking at the informal sector and we are asking ourselves what jobs are available and what kind of jobs are people engaged in.
We are also looking at the skills sector- those skills that are available in the country so that as a ministry we are able to map the skills available and the jobs that are being created by the Small and Medium Enterprises.
At the end of the day when we are focusing on the Big Four Agenda of the President we know that in manufacturing and health for example we have the necessary skills required in the sectors,” Tum explained.
The Big Four Agenda focuses on food security, manufacturing, universal health care and affordable housing.
A number of small scale traders who spoke to during the interactive session with the PS urged the government to avail loans and grants to them so that they can expand their businesses to employ more youths.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
