Industrial training at advance smart-microfinance.

Abstract

Industrial training refers to the practical training in the company, farm or an industrial environment that helps the students in developing the required skills which will help them become better professionals in the future and also increase their knowledge scope. Advance Smart Microfinance Uganda is a Tier 4 microfinance institution developed by Adventist Development Retief Agency to foster development in the different parts of the country. Its headquarters are located in Nansana Hoima Road and has over 6 branches spread all over the country. I was attached to the Kiboga Branch which does of Agricultural Loans. This report describes the activities done or implemented, skills and knowledge gained, challenges faced during industrial training, conclusions of the report and recommendations derived from the challenges faced at Advance Smart Microfinance Uganda — Kiboga. The activities at the firm were divided into 2 sections i.e., Loans Department (field work) headed by the Loans Officer and the work here included Loan application filing, inspection and assessment of securities pledged by customers, loan recovery of defaulters and disbursement of approved loans. The other department was the Teller Section (office work), this compromised of Reception and front desk operations, receiving of cash from payments, records department and cash reserve section, this was led by the Teller office and 1 was privileged to be attached to all these sections where I gained a lot of skills and knowledge. However, much the lessons were learnt a few hardships were encountered during the period of stay, for example, some clients were hostile and this was life threatening, rudimentary methods of data collection like forms, this made work cumbersome, movement of long distances to track down the clients and defaulters, a few suggestions were brought forward and hoping these will be put into consideration. In conclusion, Industrial Training was carried out successfully and I was able to learn and apply my theory from it. 1 was in position of getting practical skills and knowledge in line with lily career and relating with people in the field. The technical advice that I provided sometimes addressed farmers' financial problems. Moving forward Universities should maintain relationships with the firm to continue enhancing the skills of the students and the institutions as well could gain from the students in many various ways.