In a bid to ensure more skilled builders in the green construction space, a local organization recently launched training for young Rwandans in this specific field.

The training carried out by ADHC Corporate Group targets students who have completed high school in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Those trained are then employed to work on projects like Bwiza Riverside homes, a housing project for eco-friendly and affordable homes that is being developed in Nyarugenge District.

ADHI has made it a point to have gender balance on its field training, where one fifth are girls. Photo by Dan Nsengiyumva

In an effort to secure affordable homes for residents of the City of Kigali, ADHC partnered with the Government of Rwanda to introduce a new technology that is green, sustainable and innovative.   

In an interview with The New Times, Hassan Adan HASSAN, the managing director of ADHI Corporate Group said once the students graduate it will solve the problem of relying on expatriates to do the job.

This, he said will also help in reducing the foreign exchange spent on hiring international labour.

The training has both onsite and theory learning that gives the trainees a better understanding of studies, the theory part of the training includes the introductory mandatory lessons like safety, project management, cleaning construction materials, storage and assembling of Light Steel Frame (LSF).

Geoffrey Gacheru Karanja, the Director of the ADHI TVET School said the students will spend only four and a half months, after that they will undergo a supervised internship for three months.

Bwiza River Side estate in Nyarugenge District where the training on green construction technology is conducted. Photo by  Dan Nsengiyumva

At the end of the training, the trainees that qualify on safety and competence will be certified with an international certificate that is recognized in Rwanda, Commonwealth countries and Europe, National Vocational Qualification level 2 (NVQ)

Karanja said the institution is pursuing a CS card that will not only get the students a qualification but also have the opportunity to work in Britain.

ADHI Corporate Academy was certified as an NOCN centre, based in the UK whose purpose is to help students reach their potential, to offer NVQ certificates, after vetting its facilities, people to train the students and the curriculum they will follow.

Besides assembling and erection of LSF, the institute aspires to broaden the scope of courses like Painting, Drainage and Landscaping.

Training of the trainers 

The NOCN centre has developed a culture where it gives high opportunities to students for employment. Once one is qualified and acquires an NVQ Level 2, they are given an opportunity to train others instead of giving the opportunity to international labor.

ADHI has seven assessors already who are assisting the trainees, these assessors have undergone training at ADHI training program. 

The technology that the students are being trained to use is light, quick to construct with less quantity of gravel in cement, which reduces the cost of construction.  

Gerard Hakizimana from Rwanda TVET Board highlighted that it means a lot to Rwanda, because what ADHI is trying to do is training them (students) to use the technology that is less expensive in terms of the construction materials used, like light steel which reduces the cost of construction. 

He says it is an initiative that will solve issues like unemployment, because once the students graduate they will be able to become job creators, rather than job seekers, given that the training they are obtaining encourages and shows them the possibility of employment.

In addition, he said it’s an important thing because they will know how to use the technology that is less expensive in terms of the construction materials used like light steel which reduces the cost of construction. 

Keith Horkan, the standards and quality control officer assigned by NOCN to ADHI TVET Academy, says the training will improve conditions in Rwanda’s economy and industry because it is a qualification you get that gives you an opportunity to work in different other places. 

ADHI has made it a point to have gender balance on its field training, where one fifth are girls.