American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda recently marked the successful conclusion of its Industrial Training Program, which saw eight trainees complete the one-year accelerated development initiative.

The program’s main objective is to identify and equip young talent with professional training across various fields, enhancing their skills and employability.

With the job market in Uganda becoming increasingly competitive for fresh graduates due to a high number of job seekers compared to available positions, securing stable employment has posed challenges.

Currently, Uganda reports a youth unemployment rate of 6.58 percent (UBOS), indicating the portion of the workforce aged 15 to 24 actively seeking work but without current employment.

Academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient to stand out in this competitive landscape. Employers now seek individuals with practical skills, adaptability, and a results-driven approach – employees who can handle pressure with ease. Hence, internships in esteemed organizations such as ATC Uganda have become indispensable for young graduates’ career advancement.

Sarah Kyomugisha, a 25-year-old graduate in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from Makerere University Kampala, spoke highly of her training experience. She had the opportunity to rotate through various departments, including finance, procurement, and supply chain. Moreover, spending time at the ATC warehouse allowed her to develop excellent interpersonal skills while interacting with different suppliers. Sarah now feels well-prepared to take on any role, even at a managerial level, and credits ATC Uganda’s CEO, Dorothy Ssemanda, for the personal encouragement that boosted her confidence. Inspired by this support, Sarah has decided to pursue a professional course in procurement.

Bridget Natsumi, a Telecom Engineering graduate from Makerere University, emphasized the enriching experience gained during the program. Under the guidance of her supervisor, Bridget engaged in practical work and interacted with professionals at ATC Uganda who readily provided guidance. She encourages other fresh graduates to persist in seeking similar opportunities, believing that her placement at ATC Uganda has been pivotal to her professional growth.

Emmanuel Cherotich, a graduate in Qualitative Economics from Makerere University, also recognizes the program’s value for every graduate. It provided him with a dynamic understanding of the corporate working environment and helped him develop crucial interpersonal skills for success in the job market.

Racheal Tukashaba, a Commerce-Accounting graduate from Makerere University Business School, expressed gratitude for the connections, practical skills, and interpersonal communication abilities she acquired during the one-year training. Racheal aspires to become a professional accountant after completing her current professional course.

During the send-off ceremony for the first cohort of trainees, ATC Uganda’s CEO, Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, highlighted the program’s practical and impactful nature.

“The primary goal is to enhance the skills and knowledge of participants, enabling them to compete effectively in both the national and international job markets.”

She added that, “ATC Uganda remains committed to upskilling young graduates to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Uganda. Through the industrial trainee program, fresh graduates have the opportunity to gain practical skills in their respective fields and improve their competitiveness in the job market.”

Launched in 2022, the ATC Uganda Industrial Training Program provides promising young graduates with a competitive advantage in securing employment within ATC Uganda and beyond. Eligible participants are unemployed fresh graduates from recognized tertiary institutions with a first-class or second-class upper degree.