Rwanda is one of the country with a high number of young people. Like many developing countries, Rwanda’s population as a whole is quite young. Over 50% of the Rwandan population is under 20 years old and the median age of the population is 22.7 years old, which indicates a high percentage of the active population.
A major challenge to youth employability is the lack of skills needed at the labour market, especially in vocational training. It is in that regard, that SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda in partnership with BildungsWerk der Baden-Württembergischen Wirtschaft e.V. (BiWe) initiated a one-year program of ‘Dual training’ through the TVET-BiWe Partnership Project. The project is implemented with the funds of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through sequa gGmbH.
The project focuses on a dual approach to training which consists of parallel learning at the school and in the company in the so-called “apprenticeship” in order to facilitate trainees to get more practical skills.
Apprenticeship is made possible through memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that the TVET-BiWe Partnership Project signs with partner companies to take apprentices for practical learning in the real world of work. On top of the program curriculum, the companies teach other soft skills needed by employers.
After a few months at the company, students are capable of performing incredible work. That is how students in both trades of plumbing and welding build a model house combining all the technical modules they have learned. This includes masonry, welding, plumbing and electricity.
The secret of the project is to conduct a needs assessment of companies before the trainees’ attachment. Initial training is offered to students for three months at the school (theory and basic practice), then from the fourth month, a trainee alternates one month in the company and one month at the school, and then the last three months are fully spent in the company.
Ms. Françoise Mutoneshe, the Project Coordinator said, “Our students are thus able to kill two birds with one stone: gain hands-on skills and boost chances for future employment in companies. Our project becomes a success thanks to the dual model of training and with the practical part in companies, we are assured that the learners get a full package. At the end of the training, a student is expected to present a final project, which response to the company’s needs. This helps us to evaluate the practical skills acquired by each apprentice and makes us confident for the future of employment among the graduates.”
The dual program of training implemented by the TVET-BiWe Partnership Project is well-aligned with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NST1), which pledges to create thousands of decent jobs every year.