The Government has obviously been responsive when in expressing the will to promote technical and vocational education training (TVET).

However, during a recent validation workshop in Kigali on a "Study on the Adequacy between TVET Programmes and Labour Market needs in Rwanda”, researchers claimed that despite efforts invested in the TVET sector, the labour market is still characterised by poor skills and low productivity of the labour force.

Dr Claudien Ntahomvukiye, a lecturer at University of Rwanda’s College of Education and researcher, has said the study reveals a big gap between the skills and competences of TVET graduates and the labour market needs.

Commissioned by the Synergy Committee of four Rwandan organizations, namely, Congres du Travail de la Fraternite des Travailleurs (COTRAF)-Rwanda, Federation des Mouvements Populaires (FMP), Rwandese Association of Retired (RAR) and Centre de Formation des Travailleurs Rwandais (CEFOTRAR), the study aims at showing the adequacy between the current policies of TVET programmes and the labour market needs in Rwanda.

The study is being conducted in Kigali city and the districts of Bugesera and Rwamagana from Eastern Province. It involves TVET final year students recognised by Workforce Development Authority (WDA), graduates employed in different sectors (formal and informal), graduates’ employers, teachers and trainers.

Before announcing the final findings of the study in December, the Synergy Committee will submit the draft to the WDA, who are in charge of TVET programmes, to check and examine the missing information for further improvement the final project.

Dominique Bicamumpaka, the chairman of the Synergy Committee, told The New Times, early this week that the study will help to improve the TVET skills so that graduates can exercise their roles professionally and build confidence in their employers or in themselves if self-employed.

He said, "We are pleased to hear that the government is willing to promote TVET programmes, but there are still a lot to do so that the policy reaches its targets and graduates’ practical skills match the labour market.”

The government targets to enroll 60 per cent of students in TVET schools by 2020, while the 40 per cent remaining will be enrolled to undertake other studies.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw