Teamwork is at the heart of the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB)’s mission to achieve a Competence-Based Assessment (CBA) that meets the demands of the industry. 

TVET is referred to as “a range of learning experiences which are relevant to the world of work and which may occur in a variety of learning contexts, including educational institutions and the workplace” (UNEVOC, 2006, p. 15).

Collaboration with the private sector has been an influential tool in addressing a variety of complex issues or problems in both developed and developing economies around the globe. Like many countries, Uganda has strongly promoted collaboration with the private sector across the education sector. 

UBTEB’s deep-rooted commitment to teamwork, partnerships, and collaborations is aligned with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy 2019. The Policy establishes an employer-led TVET system run in a tripartite manner. Making partnerships with the private sector stakeholders is a high priority during the TVET policy implementation process. 

UBTEB’s strategic identity defines the boundaries within which it does its work to streamline, regulate, and coordinate examinations and awards in Business, Technical, and Vocational/specialized Education or training in Uganda. In line with the strategic plan, UBTEB has positioned herself as a center of Excellence for Competence Based Assessment, Examinations, and Awards for a Skilled and Productive Workforce. 

Being regarded as a center of excellence requires putting in place and sustaining excellence in internal processes and delivery systems as well as producing high-quality TVET graduates. Models of excellence mainly function through their unique, skilled, and highly trained/specialized staff.  UBTEB attracts and retains competent staff and provides them with career opportunities and competitive remuneration. 

The Board has strengthened linkages and partnerships with stakeholders for improved stakeholder engagement and service delivery. In this respect, UBTEB has continuously strengthened industrial training monitoring and assessment and built synergies with partners and assessment/examination bodies/ universities. 

The Board has signed a number of MOUs with various organisations whose strategic intents are aligned with its strategic plan in order to complement one another. Such collaborations make TVET more industry-relevant by increasing the private sector's role, duties, and participation in Uganda’s workforce skills development through strengthening and expanding the linkage between training providers and companies nationwide. 

This also means building long-term partnerships, a strong presence on the ground, and more coherence, not only between policies and instruments but also between our narratives and actions: “Are we what we say we will do?’’

According to the Executive Secretary, UBTEB’s implementation of partnerships is two-fold. Partnerships are undertaken to enhance both a better-shared understanding of the nature of varying skill needs or demands and cooperation to establish the provision of proper training in case of necessity. Hence, partnerships are expected to promote better matching between supply and demand in the labour market. 

Additionally, the matter of skills and training levels of the workforce is of importance because of the constantly changing content of international trade (i.e., the proportion of high-technology in manufacturing and services is going up, whereas the relative importance of those based on natural resources or low-technology is decreasing). The development of higher-level skills through partnerships appears to be a major priority.

UBTEB seeks appropriate partners in identifying and addressing priority TVET needs, and actively collaborates with organizations and individuals who share our goals and standards.

Teamwork at UBTEB is more than just a principle and core value, it is a way of life at UBTEB, guiding every decision and action, whether visible or behind the scenes. UBTEB defines teamwork through its people, systems, and processes, ensuring that all deliver as promised in both client and employee engagements. This is not just about addressing issues as they arise but building a culture where teamwork is embedded into every aspect of UBTEB’s operations.

The staff of UBTEB respect and cooperate with fellow employees, stakeholders, and technical training institutions to identify and achieve common goals regarding TVET and activities that improve the quality of life in the areas we operate. Only by working together can we have the necessary impact to bring transformative change.