Over 100 job-seekers have been helped by the Kigali Employment Service Centre to get employment in different companies across the country since it started last year, Aloys Niyonsaba, the centre managing director has revealed.

Niyonsaba was speaking during a job fair codenamed ‘Job Net’ at the Kigali Serena Hotel yesterday. The fair was aimed at linking job-seekers, who were last week trained in different aspects of the job market, with potential employers. 

"These efforts have helped job-seekers to know how to market themselves. They have also acquired entrepreneurship and technology skills, which will make them competitive in the job market,” he said.

Niyonsaba called on unemployed graduates to register with the job centre database to boost their chances of getting employment.

Alphonse Habineza, a graduate of informatics technology, who has been applying for jobs for almost a year to no avail, was hopeful that the training he received at the employment centre, and the interaction with potential employers will help him get a job in the near future. 

"Previously, I didn’t know what employers wanted. Now I know what employers need…this (job fair) is a great idea,” he said.

Jean Claude Mahoro, a third year student at University of Rwanda, who also works in the university’s main library, advised job-seekers to network.

"When you get contacts and network with people from different walks of life, it is easy to get a job because they can always recommend you to employers,” he said. 

Mahoro said the employment centre initiative was timely. "This training and interaction with prospective employers will go a long way in reducing unemployment in the country, especially among fresh graduates,” he said.

Over 30 firms and 100 job-seekers were expected to participate in the Job Net employment fair. 

KESC started last year to help qualified youth get jobs, as well as assist companies find right candidates for open positions.