The Wakiso Vocational Training Hub empowers women in Wakiso, Uganda, through a comprehensive tailoring programme delivered over 5 to 6 months. Each cycle, 35 to 45 women take part, gaining both practical and theoretical skills through 240 hours of hands-on training led by qualified teachers. The programme is designed not just to teach a trade, but to give women a genuine pathway out of poverty, one built on a recognised qualification, real employment prospects, and the confidence to run their own business.
The programme unfolds in three stages. For the first three months, participants attend structured training sessions where they learn core tailoring techniques, from pattern cutting and machine operation to garment construction and finishing. Training is hands-on and practical from day one, with women working directly with fabric and machines under the guidance of experienced instructors, building skills gradually as sessions progress. As part of this practical training, women also learn to sew reusable sanitary pads, which are distributed to girls and women through our RedBox project, directly linking their new skills to a wider impact.
As training draws to a close, participants shift into exam preparation, reviewing past questions and refining their practical technique ahead of a formal assessment accredited by Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports through the Department of Industrial Training (DIT). Three months after the course begins, women sit this exam, and successful candidates receive a nationally recognised certificate, strengthening their credibility and employability.
With certification secured, the final stage of the programme supports women in translating their new qualification into income. Graduates receive help with job applications alongside essential materials and financial resources, such as a sewing machine, to start their own businesses, bridging the gap between training and economic independence.
Our Objectives
- Skill Development – Provide practical and theoretical training in tailoring to 35 to 45 women per cycle, totalling 240 hours of instruction, giving participants the expertise needed to start their own tailoring businesses or secure employment in the garment industry.
- Certification and Accreditation – Facilitate exams accredited by the Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports. Successful candidates receive nationally recognised certificates, enhancing their credibility and employability.
- Employment and Entrepreneurship Support – Assist graduates with job applications and provide essential materials and financial resources, such as a sewing machine, to start their own businesses, bridging the gap between training and economic independence.
- Economic Empowerment – Equip women with tailoring skills and business start-up resources to increase household income, improve living standards, and reduce poverty.
- Long-term Sustainability – Create a cycle of empowerment where trained women go on to contribute economically and socially within their communities, generating a ripple effect that benefits families and the broader community.
- Community Impact – Promote community development through the economic upliftment of women, who in turn support their children’s education and improve overall community wellbeing.
