From Classroom to Boardroom: Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre Bombo and JA Uganda Spark Entrepreneurial Spirit

In a dynamic two-day event held on March 25–26, 2026, the Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre in Bombo became a hub of innovation. Partnering with Junior Achievement (JA) Uganda, the centre hosted a comprehensive Training of Trainers (TOT) followed by an intensive Student Boot Camp, aiming to bridge the gap between vocational technicality and business infiltration.

Phase 1: Empowering the Mentors (March 25)

The journey began with a Training of Trainers (TOT) designed to equip instructors with the tools to mentor the next generation of Ugandan entrepreneurs.

• The Participants: 16 dedicated instructors (12 male, 4 female) from various departments.
• The Facilitators: Geoffrey the Programs Manager and Tricia from Junior Achievement Uganda.
• The Goal: To prepare staff to guide students through the intricate process of forming companies and establishing businesses rooted in their specific vocational courses.

Mr. Egesa Stephen, the Job Service Officer, opened the session by thanking the staff for their “time sacrifice” and emphasizing that their role is pivotal in helping students turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods. The Deputy Principal, Mr. Ajena Amulam, echoed these sentiments, urging the staff to lead by example as they prepared for the student-led sessions the following day.

The session concluded at 4:05 PM with a symbolic handover of instructional guides to the teachers, ensuring they have the resources to provide ongoing support.

Phase 2: The Student Boot Camp (March 26)

On the second day, the energy shifted to the student body. A total of 121 first and second-year students (34 female and 87 male) gathered for an immersive entrepreneurship experience.

“Making My Course a Business”

While the technical theme for the day was “From Skill to Business,” JA Programs Manager Geoffrey challenged the students to personalize their journey. He encouraged them to adopt the mantra: “Making My Course a Business.”

“You are privileged to be at Don Bosco,” noted Deputy Principal Mr. Ajena Amulam. “This is the only institute in the region with the capacity to not only train you but to actively prepare you for the world of work through these boot camps and our dedicated Job Service Office.”

Key Outcomes of the Boot Camp:

• Ideation: Instructors worked side-by-side with students to brainstorm viable business concepts.
• Company Formation: By the end of the day, the students had successfully formed 12 new companies.
• Resources: Every trainee received a Student Manual for Project Management to serve as their “blueprint” for future operations.

The Bigger Picture: Green TVET and Gender Matters

This initiative is more than just a two-day workshop; it is a vital component of the Gender Matters for Green TVET programme. This four-year initiative (2023–2026) is currently being implemented across five Don Bosco TVET Centres in Uganda and Rwanda.

The program’s success is made possible through the generous funding and support of:

1. Austrian Development Cooperation
2. Jugend Eine Welt

By fostering an environment where “skills meet scales,” Don Bosco Bombo and JA Uganda are ensuring that these young professionals graduate not just as job seekers, but as job creators.