The impact of non-formal vocational skills training program on the re-integration of former child laborers into communities: a case of Lira district, Uganda

Abstract

Uganda experiences unacceptable levels of child labor with 34% of the children involved in work that exposes them to physical, psychological and social abuse and exploitation. The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), the lead Government actor for child protection, has put in place the Child Labor Policy that underscored the importance of vocational skills training to children involved in child labor to equip them with gainful skills to become productive members of society. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of non-formal vocational skills training on the re-integration of former child laborers into communities in Lira. The researcher utilized closed ended questionnaires to collect quantitative data while qualitative data was collected using interview guides. Overall, research findings indicated that 99% of respondents agreed that non-formal vocational skills training was very effective in the re-integration of former child laborers into communities. Qualitative findings also revealed that the integration of life skills, business skills, mentorship program and trade start up tool kits into non-formal vocational skills training program is conduit to successful re-integration of former child laborers into communities. Consequently, 97% of the respondents strongly recommended that non-formal skills training should be offered to children not yet enrolled into the program. From the empirical data generated through this study, non-formal vocational skills training program addressing played a significant role in the re-integration of former child laborers into communities in Lira district, Uganda and could be scaled to benefit children not yet enrolled into the training program. Projects offering vocational skills training should consider integrating lifeskills, business skills, market skills survey and apprenticeship skills training into the programs to better equip former child laborers with comprehensive skills to re-integrate into communities.