By Bishop Rwahwire
Technical Diploma brings in fast return to investment.
I have received countless calls from parents & guardians seeking advice for their kids who failed to get government sponsorship at University for an Engineering program, these days it’s not just cool to say, that I am at Campus, you rather go to a technical institute and start earning in 3 years other than getting an engineering degree and end up on the streets or in a bank working as a teller or in an audit firm!
With prospects of Oil production in 2017, many are rushing for degree programs in Petroleum Engineering. Truth be told, the oil sector has very few jobs for bachelors and master degrees holders! The oil sector especially those in the field are majorly Technicians (Diploma holders). When Telecom Engineering had just entered Uganda’s university system, many rushed into getting degrees only to realize that degrees are theoretical compared to hands on diploma courses.
Do you have someone who has completed A-level in Sciences?
Forget degrees in Civil/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Computer/ Telecom/ Chemical Engineering, first study the future of Uganda… More automobiles are to be bought, take your AAA in PCM/ PEM in a Diploma in Automobile Mechanics/Automobile Electronics. We’re in a construction boom, think of Diploma in Building & Construction. Imagine those phone technicians how much they take home every day! How about TV & Electronic technicians?
A university degree won’t teach you to fix a car, phone, TV, or telecom equipment!
With a Master’s degree in Aeronautics by the way, we’re only two, Me and Winnie Byanyima (Could be others outside Uganda), I knew everything how an aircraft airframe works and what it is made of, however, working as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, I found out someone with a Diploma in Automotive with some experience, within a year or two can transition and become an aircraft airframe technician! Could this be the reason why Eng. Winnie Byanyima left the profession?
You don’t need a degree to become a pilot, a diploma and hours of flying are sufficient.
If you desire a degree in any engineering field, you can upgrade after amassing years of experience at Technician level! People, the money isn’t in the degree, it’s in those Diploma jobs!
Last word, don’t force your kids, they need to be counseled, unfortunately, the career guidance officers at almost all High Schools in Uganda are green!
Note: Bishop Rwahwire is a University Don and Materials Engineer at Busiteema University.