Jobs for S.6 leavers in Uganda and how to write your CV

Yes, you can find work with an S.6 certificate in Uganda, but the best results usually come from pairing it with a practical skill. Many employers hire S.6 leavers as assistants, sales and customer service staff, data entry clerks, shop and warehouse staff, and trainees. A short course, a good reference and a clear one-page CV make you easier to choose than the next applicant holding the same certificate.

Your realistic options after S.6

There is no single path. Most S.6 leavers combine two or three of these over the first year or two.

• Entry-level paid work: shops, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, security companies, call centres, delivery and logistics firms often take school leavers. Look for words like “assistant”, “trainee”, “attendant” or “officer” in the title.
• Apprenticeship or on-the-job learning: working beside a mechanic, electrician, tailor, hairdresser or builder teaches a trade while you earn something. Ask for a reference letter when you finish.
• Short skills courses: computer applications, bookkeeping, driving, welding, hospitality and similar courses can be completed in months and give you something specific to put on your CV.
• Technical or vocational study: certificate and diploma programmes at technical institutes, covered below.
• University or other tertiary study: if your UACE results qualify you and you can fund it, this stays a good long-term route.
• Internships and volunteering: unpaid or low-paid, but they give you real references. See our guide to internships in Uganda.

Technical and vocational training is a real route, not a last resort

Uganda has a national system for technical and vocational education and training, often called TVET or BTVET. The Ministry of Education and Sports states on education.go.ug that BTVET aims to give the economy qualified and competitive workers. The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), at uvtab.go.ug, says it is responsible for assessing and certifying competences gained through both formal and informal TVET.

“Informal” matters if you have already learned a trade by working. UVTAB describes assessment of skills gained outside a classroom, so ask an accredited assessment centre whether you can be assessed for a certificate that proves what you can already do. UVTAB’s website has a tool to find accredited centres, plus circulars and timetables. Check these before you pay any training provider, and confirm that the course you are considering is approved.

How to write a CV when you do not have a degree

Employers hiring S.6 leavers do not expect a long work history. They want to see that you are reliable, can do the tasks in the advert and can be reached. Keep it to one page.

1. 1Name and contact details: a phone number you answer, an email address that looks professional, and your town or district.
2. 2Short profile: two lines saying what you are looking for and what you offer, for example customer-friendly, punctual, comfortable with Excel.
3. 3Education: school, UACE and UCE year, and the principal subjects. Add any short courses with the training provider named.
4. 4Experience: paid jobs, apprenticeships, family business help, volunteering, school leadership roles and community work. All of these count.
5. 5Skills: only the ones you can demonstrate, such as typing, basic computer use, languages you speak, driving, cash handling or a trade skill.
6. 6Referees: two people who know your work, such as a former teacher, a boss or a church or community leader. Ask them first.

Turning small experience into strong lines

If you have helped in a shop, tutored younger children or led a club, say what you actually did. Start with an action word and say what changed.

The same idea works for school roles. “Prefect” says little. “Prefect in charge of the school library: kept the borrowing register and helped younger students find books” shows responsibility.

Where to look for vacancies

Use a mix of channels, and apply where you meet the stated requirements.

• Ask relatives, teachers, church or mosque leaders, and former classmates who are already working. Many openings are never advertised online.
• Walk in with a printed CV where a business is hiring and you can do so politely, and ask who receives applications.
• Follow the careers pages of companies you would like to work for and apply through their official channel.
• Check each advert for the closing date and the method of application before you start.

Mistakes S.6 leavers should avoid

• Sending the same CV to every advert without checking the requirements.
• Leaving the experience section empty instead of listing informal work, volunteering or school duties.
• Using an email address with a nickname or joke in it.
• Paying for “guaranteed” jobs, placements or visas.
• Waiting a long time for the perfect job instead of building skills and references while you search.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a government job with only S.6?

Some posts are open to UACE holders, but many need a diploma or degree. Read each advert’s required qualification. Our government jobs guide explains how vacancies are advertised.

Should I put my S.6 results on my CV?

Yes, if you are applying soon after leaving school. Show the year, the school and your subjects. Give grades only if they help and you can prove them with your certificate.

Is a short course worth it?

It can be, if it teaches a skill employers ask for and the provider is genuine. Choose a course linked to the jobs you want, and list it on your CV with the institution’s name.