Exploration of the learning experiences of the beneficiaries of youth livelihood program in kasokoko, Buligo parish, Iganga Municipality
Abstract
The government of Uganda through the ministry of gender labor and social development introduced a youth livelihood program with four objectives. These were: first, To provide financial assistance which according to literature was executed perfectly; second, To provide entrepreneurial skills; third, was providing vocational skills and fourth, was to change the attitude of youths. Findings indicate that though youths are not trained, most of youths were making progress in their economic activities. The question was, where and how did they acquire the skills and knowledge. This study was therefore designed to explore the learning experiences of youths in the youth livelihood program engaged in amidst the absence of training from the Government.
The study specifically focused on the learning which youths in the youth livelihood program in Kasokoso village, adopted to cope with skills acquisition, the methods that trainers though reportedly not from government used to pass on skills and knowledge to the youth and then the challenges faced by the youths in the process of training, the challenges faced by the trainers and
the technical team. A qualitative research design was adopted purposely to collect detailed information about the learning among the beneficiaries of youth livelihood program (YLP). The tools used were indepth interview and observation method because In-depth interview helped the researcher in the collection of a great deal of information about the study the study and also probe in case something was not clear to the researcher. Purposive sampling was adopted because it enabled the researcher to find out the key informants, convenience used in selection of participants. The findings revealed as follows; youths learnt informally, Non-formally and formally. However, the majority of youths acquired the skills and knowledge in an informally. The methods of learning used by instructors include! Demonstration, group discussion and lecture method. The majority of youths report that demonstration method was key because it enables them to try out what they learn into practice. The challenges that learners face were the lack of reinforcement, failure to identify the learning needs, too much money needed by the trainer, learning materials being expensive. The recommendations were also formulated in line with the findings and these include; before training the government should first analyze the needs of learners, embark on skills training, youths should be included in decision making.