NSSF Career Expo: 5,000 university students to benefit in 2023

A total of 5,000 students in seven universities countrywide are expected to benefit from this year’s annual career expo running from April 17-28.

The Universities being targeted are Makerere University Business School, Makerere University, Isbat University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, Bishop Stuart University and Kampala International University.

Speaking at MUBS during the launch of this year’s edition of the expo on April 17, Patrick Ayota, the NSSF Ag. Managing Director challenged the youth to try alternative work opportunities to make a living as they search for their dream job in formal employment.

Ayota said: “We are cognizant of the fact that gig work is increasingly becoming important as a potential pathway to employment creation, given that the youth unemployment rate in Uganda is high. It is our plan, therefore, to help university students learn, explore and earn from this alternative work opportunity in this year’s career expo.”

He said students will learn how to unlock their intrinsic skill set to flourish in the gig market, balancing gig work with a permanent job, turning gig work into a flourishing business, financial literacy among others.

At least 41% of youth, representing 9.3 million aged between 18 -30 years are not engaged in any productive activity, according to findings in the 2021 Uganda National Labour Force Survey, conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

Absa Bank and Brighter Monday are the other partners of the expo. Started 12 years ago, the Fund has reached 155,000 students across various universities countrywide.