Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has produced 32 trainees specialised in masonry, painting and tiling, and are expected to help fill the skilled gap in the construction industry.

The level three ten-month training project began in January this year sponsored by German Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation in partnership with Workforce Development Authority (WDA), Private Sector Federation (PSF), the Association of Constructors (AEBTP), National Capacity Building Secretariat (NCBS), and Construction Sector Skills Council (CSSC).

Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC)-East in Ngoma District on Friday, the Deputy Director General for Training at WDA, Irenee Nsengiyumva, said the training is intended to bridge the gap between TVET output and employers’ expectations.

"We are looking at having more practical personnel in every TVET output and this can be achieved through such dual training, where half of the training period is dedicated to practical training at construction sites,” said Nsengiyumva, adding that the training was the first of its kind in the country and would continue.

The Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Kigali, Stefan Sckell, said the German government is dedicated to continue supporting such training and will widen it.

"Currently, we are the leading funders in vocational training projects in Rwanda. We started with IPRC-East as a model for further extension of the project,” said Sckell.

The association of constructors president, that worked hand in hand with PSF to identify construction sites for trainees, say it is their responsibility to participate in the new framework of training Rwandans to transform the construction industry.

"We know that the reason we import labour in construction is lack of practical skills in construction industry,” said Alexis Nsengumuremyi, the association president.

He added that construction companies are ready to receive trainees who need practical skills during the course of their training.

The Principal IPRC-East, Ephrem Musonera, said the training is designed to promote specialisation among trainees.

"We have trainers at construction companies who help train the students while at field sites,” said Musonera.

The next intake is due February 2017 and people like Nshuti Ashimwe, a female graduate who specialised in painting, encouraged students to pursue technical courses.

"I found that this programme is relevant because you don’t have to worry about experience when you get to work. You already have it from your half time of training,” she said.

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