The Dutch government has signed a four year agreement worth Rwf3.3 billion (Euro 4.2 million) with the Private Sector Federation (PSF) to support the promotion of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

PSF officials said on Tuesday that the grant will be used to scale up a business plan competition with a special focus on TVET graduates and other enterprises involved in the training to improve their business skills.

"The grant is great for us in the private sector because we are the final beneficiary and we need the technical knowledge which will help improve service delivery in the country,” said Robert Bayigamba the PSF Chairman.

In order to improve technical skills, the grant will also expand the scope of business plan competitions for the TVET graduates. Each graduate who wishes to start up a business will be facilitated to come up with a business plan to benefit a guarantee fund.

The project will also promote skills development and bridge the labour market skills gap through a well coordinated internship programme.

Officials said that the grant will also promote advocacy in terms of Public Private Partnership (PPPs) on technical and vocational training.

During the signing of the agreement, Emmanuel Hategeka the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PSF said that the grant will help graduates create employment and will ensure more awards for the business plan competition.

Currently there 50 winners but there are intentions of increasing the number to 100.  The Dutch sponsorship comes after the World Bank withdrew its support of the project that had been running for the last three years.

"The ultimate goal of the project will be to improve the capacity and the employability of young graduates in support to economic growth in Rwanda,” said Frans Makken the Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda.

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