Strengthening Industry Partnerships through Dual Apprenticeship: A WorkIntegrated Learning Approach for TVET Institutions in Uganda

Abstract

A dual apprenticeship as a form of work-integrated learning has had remarkable success in the Global North in improving graduates’ employability, reducing the costs of recruitment, enhancing the seamless transition of graduates to the world of work, and promoting a symbiotic linkage of TVET institutions with industry for knowledge, skills and experience transfer and  acquisition. However, this has not been the case in the Global South, where it continues to be envied but scarcely implemented. This study set out to explore the dual apprenticeship practice as a strategy for strengthening partnerships between TVET institutions and industry. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, data was collected from the teaching staff and administrators involved in the programme regarding the benefits and challenges of dual apprenticeships. Data was thematically analysed, themes generated, and results presented verbatim to articulate 
opinions and perceptions. The findings indicate that with a dual apprenticeship, institutions are able to meaningfully engage with industry in shaping the training process, assessment of learning, and building closer collaboration arising from the repeated and lengthened engagement despite the challenges. The study concludes that embracing dual apprenticeships greatly benefits institutions and outweighs the encountered challenges, ultimately benefitting the students, who seamlessly transit into work life with reliability, loyalty, and dedication. The study recommends that TVET institutions should continue engaging industry through dual apprenticeships, and that the government, through its regulatory agencies, should set up an enabling regulatory framework to ease the adoption of dual apprenticeships.