(JUBA) – A new free technical skills training programme has opened in Juba, offering young people and other interested applicants an opportunity to gain practical skills aimed at improving employment prospects and supporting South Sudan’s growing informal and small business sectors.
The Juba Multi Service Training Centre has announced free three month technical training courses scheduled to run from January to April 2026. The programme is open to youth and other applicants seeking hands on skills that are in demand across the local economy.
According to the centre, the training is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the United Nations Development Programme, with implementation support from Hope Africa South Sudan in partnership with the Juba Multi Service Training Centre. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen youth skills and promote self employment in South Sudan.
Courses on offer cover a wide range of technical and vocational areas that reflect current labour market needs. These include renewable energy, construction trades, mechanical skills, personal services and agriculture related value addition. Organisers say the focus is on practical skills that can be applied immediately to income generating activities.
Application forms are available free of charge and can be collected from the Juba Multi Service Training Centre offices located behind Juba Football Stadium, or from the Hope Africa South Sudan office near Mauna Medical Complex in Hai Mauna. Officials confirmed that no application fees will be charged.
The deadline for applications is two weeks from the date of the announcement. Applicants are encouraged to submit their forms early due to expected high demand for the limited training slots.
Training centre management said the programme is designed to support national efforts to reduce youth unemployment and build a skilled workforce that can contribute to economic recovery and growth. By equipping young people with technical skills, the initiative aims to help beneficiaries start small businesses or secure work in existing enterprises.
The Ministry of Labour has endorsed the programme as part of its mandate to promote skills development and workforce readiness. Officials noted that technical training plays a key role in supporting domestic production and reducing reliance on imported services.
Courses offered under the programme
| No. | Course | Skills focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solar and PV systems | Installation and maintenance |
| 2 | Basic welding and metal fabrication | Fabrication and repair |
| 3 | Tailoring and fashion design | Garment making |
| 4 | Air conditioning and refrigeration | Installation and servicing |
| 5 | Hair dressing | Personal care services |
| 6 | Plumbing and pipe fitting | Water and sanitation systems |
| 7 | Basic electrical installation | Domestic wiring |
| 8 | Auto mechanic | Vehicle repair |
| 9 | Building construction | Masonry and site work |
| 10 | Catering and bakery | Food preparation |
| 11 | Agriculture value addition | Processing and preservation |
The Director of the Multi Service Training Centre, Martin Lugala Tumba, confirmed that the programme will be delivered at the centre’s facilities in Juba and will combine classroom instruction with practical workshops.