The Youths have been urged to create more jobs to contribute to the country’s sustainable development.

Kizito Habimana, the Vice Principal of Administration and Finance, of Integrated Polytechnic Regional Institute (IPRC) of Ngoma District made the call during the closure of one month training of youth in job creation last Thursday.

The programme dubbed ‘‘Make them Job Creators’’ was attended by a number of students on long vacation from schools across the country.

Habimana said the new programme would help trigger youth innovation and entrepreneurship as they move towards job creation.

He said the programme targeted students in long holidays who would otherwise be idle in communities.

"A one month long interactive training and workshop for budding young entrepreneurs from across Rwanda, is an opportunity for youths to gain ideas and entrepreneurial skills. It will help jobless graduates to have business planning skills important for job creation. Any business project developed should uplift the people’s lives,” he said.

Kizito encouraged students to join technical and vocational training schools, noting that they were vital for economic development.

He explained that the purpose of the programme was to increase awareness of using ICT and raise the ICT literacy by enabling the youth to have access to the existing technological devices and services.

"We empower them with access, information, choices and opportunities. Entrepreneurs usually rejuvenate innovation, create jobs, grow economies and create wealth for all,” he said.

"We are in a new era where TVET schools are no longer regarded in the traditional way…in the past, they were for those students who failed the classical formal education. Previously, it was thus the last option to survive and a preserve for uncompetitive people. Today things have changed and they are the first option for many seeking personal economic development.”

Ngoma District Mayor Aphrodise Nambaje said the centre gave chance to the youths to avoid being idle, adding that it would help create jobs through innovation and entrepreneurship among beneficiaries.

The mayor cautioned the youth against expecting government to always do everything for them or to give them jobs but instead work hard to create own jobs.

"The government will not always provide jobs but only ensures an enabling environment for investors,” he said.

"I appeal to the young generation to make use of their talents along with acquired skills and knowledge to create jobs for themselves and others. In order for our country to emerge as vibrant economy, we must transform the youths from being job seekers to job creators.”

Hundreds of youth who attended the course told The New Times that the opportunity presented by the knowledge and practical skills acquired was enormous, noting that they were ready to harness this into tangible ways to advance their own lives and those of communities in future.

"As we acquire the hands on skills, we want our minds to be focused on finding solutions that address issues communities face. Our goal will be improving the living standards of everyone, using our knowledge and skills to create jobs,” said Agnes Butambuka, one of the beneficiaries.

Alfred Rutinduka, 21, said he had lost hope of getting a job until he started the training at the school.

"I completed high school a couple of years ago…I was not lucky to get government sponsorship to the university, neither did I have the money to pay privately. So, I lived on street for three years. I m now so happy that with the technical skills I acquired, I can start my own garage if I get small capital. I am highly motivated that life will not be as bad as it was,” he said.

Rwanda has set a target to create over 200,000 off-farm jobs every year.

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