National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP)

Call for Applications: Short-Term Skills Upgrading through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Informal Sector Workers (50)

Are you an artisan, informal sector worker or experienced apprentice seeking to upgrade your skills and obtain formal recognition of your competencies?

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), with funding from the Government of Uganda, invites applications from eligible informal sector workers and experienced apprentices to participate in short-term skills upgrading and training under the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP).

The initiative seeks to recognize and strengthen skills acquired through informal apprenticeship, work experience, self-employment and other forms of non-formal and informal learning. Participants will have an opportunity to have their competencies assessed against nationally approved occupational standards and, where applicable, obtain nationally recognized certification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Programme Benefits

Successful applicants will have an opportunity to:

• Have their existing competencies assessed against nationally approved occupational standards;
• Obtain formal recognition of skills acquired outside the formal education and training system;
• Identify competency gaps requiring further development;
• Access targeted short-term training to address identified competency gaps;
• Undertake competency assessment and obtain nationally recognized certification through the approved TVET assessment and certification system; and
• Enhance their employability, productivity, career progression, self-employment opportunities and prospects for lifelong learning.

Priority Occupations

Applications are invited from individuals with practical skills and experience in the following occupations:

• Carpentry and Joinery
• Welding and Metal Fabrication

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be aged 16-35 years
• Possess practical skills acquired through informal or non-formal learning
• Have at least one (1) year of experience in the occupation for which they are applying
• Be willing to participate in the RPL assessment process
• Be committed to completing competency-gap training, where required.

Women, Persons with Disabilities and other disadvantaged youth are strongly encouraged to apply

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application via the official programme portal: 

Application deadline: Friday, 4th September 2026

For More Information, Contact:

• Apprenticeship Superintendent
• Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
• Gender and Labour House, Plot 2 George Street, P.O. Box 7136, KAMPALA Tel: +256 788 839 580
• Email: apprenticeshipsmglsd.go.ug or CLIRPmglsd.go.ug

Skills Recognition and Certification Drive for Informal Sector Workers