Universities Urged to Address Growing Skills Gap in Media Training
Speaking during an interview, Miss Faith Mukundi, Managing Director of Newsline Media and Training Agency, said there is a widening disconnect between classroom learning and industry expectations, which continues to affect employability among media graduates.
Universities and training institutions across the country have been urged to urgently address the growing skills gap in media and film training to ensure graduates are better prepared for the job market.
Speaking during an interview, Miss Faith Mukundi, Managing Director of Newsline Media and Training Agency, said there is a widening disconnect between classroom learning and industry expectations, which continues to affect employability among media graduates.
She noted that while many students complete theoretical coursework, they often lack sufficient hands-on experience in production environments, newsroom operations, and digital content creation.
Mukundi said this gap can only be addressed through stronger collaboration between universities and industry players, including structured attachment programmes and practical training initiatives.
“The industry is changing very fast. Students must not only learn theory but also be exposed to real production work if they are to remain relevant,” she said.
She further emphasized that the rise of digital media and citizen journalism has transformed the way information is produced and consumed, increasing the demand for skilled professionals who can verify, package, and distribute credible content.
Mukundi also pointed out that inadequate training facilities and limited access to practical resources in many institutions remain a major barrier to effective skills development.
She added that Newsline Media has been working to bridge this gap by offering attachment opportunities in journalism, media production, film and video production, public relations, graphic design, information technology, animation, and cyber security.
According to her, such programmes not only equip students with practical skills but also improve their readiness for the evolving demands of the media industry.
Mukundi noted that despite early challenges in establishing structured attachment programmes, the initiative has now impacted more than 200 professionals across various media and communication fields.
