In any credible business, upskilling has become an essential requirement for achieving both personal and professional growth. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), boasting a workforce of over 2000 employees, recognizes the importance of inclusivity and diversity within its ranks. To this end, NWSC has taken significant strides in enhancing the skills and knowledge of its employees through vocational training.
The heart of this initiative lies in the Vocational Skills Development Facility (VSDF) located at the corporation’s Ggaba Water Treatment Plant. Operating on the principle of matching employees with the skills required for their jobs, the VSDF aims to nurture skills and ambitions, aligning them with NWSC’s core values: professionalism, integrity, innovation, teamwork, result orientation, excellence, and reliability.
One remarkable example of the transformative power of vocational training is Ms. Sarah Rebeccah Awazira, a 33-year-old graduate in business management with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. In 2015, she joined NWSC as a security officer, responsible for safeguarding corporate assets, ensuring staff safety during duty, and fostering collaboration with other security agencies.
Recently, Ms. Awazira was one of 51 individuals selected for practical training. This training encompassed a range of technical skills, including leakage repair, connecting new customers, effective disconnection procedures, and metering knowledge, such as detecting defective meters.
In an interview, Awazira shared her motivation for undertaking this training journey: “I recognized the rapidly evolving nature of our world and the intensifying competition. NWSC operates in a highly technical environment, spanning everything from water production to service delivery. As a security officer, my role extends to supporting the entire process. To excel, I needed to equip myself with technical expertise. This knowledge is invaluable for conducting technical investigations and operations, particularly when dealing with unauthorized water users. My aim is to verify illegitimate activities even in the absence of a technical representative.”
Awazira’s training has not only broadened her technical capabilities but has also equipped her to conduct objective investigations. In cases where staff members are accused of improper material usage for new connections or leakage repairs, she can assess situations accurately and determine the validity of allegations before escalation.
Expressing her gratitude, Awazira extended her appreciation to NWSC’s management and, specifically, to the General Manager of Kampala Water, Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, as well as the facilitators from VSDF. She noted how they have provided a wealth of opportunities for staff by equipping them with the skills needed to excel in their roles.
While concluding, Ms. Awazira encouraged all non-technical staff members to embrace similar training opportunities when they arise. She emphasized that such training is transformative and equips individuals to excel in their roles within NWSC’s intricate technical landscape.
