The Education Development Centre (EDC)- an American Non Governmental Organisation yesterday launched a vocational training programme that will see 100 youth acquire skills in welding, carpentry and bricklaying.

The training is part of the ongoing youth livelihood programme dubbed Akazi kanoze being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Beneficiaries are school dropouts mainly from Kigali between 15 and 24 years of age. Speaking to The New Times, Jean Claude Nshimiyimana, the Deputy Chief of Party of EDC, said the training will be implemented in two phases with the aim of giving the youth opportunities to penetrate into the labour market.

"We are not only training these people, but we shall also give them a kick start by providing them with equipment depending on the skills they acquire,” Nshimiyimana said.
The Project Coordinator, Fils Clement Ndahiro, noted that there was need to increase the number of beneficiaries depending on the need.

"According to our programme and budget allocated for the exercise, we are capable of handling 100 youth, but over 150 have registered,” Ndahiro said.

Jean d`Amour Niyomufasha, 23, one of the trainees, said he is optimistic the training will change his life.

"When I successfully complete this training and receive the equipment as we have been promised, I will also be able to use the skills I have acquired,” Niyomufasha said.

He also advised fellow youth to look out for possible opportunities that will give them chances of joining the labour market.

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