The Ministry of Education has embarked on a programme to encourage people from diverse professions to pursue short vocational courses.

This was disclosed by John Rutayisire, the head of the Rwanda Education Board (REB).

The courses are aimed at equipping people with desk jobs with various skills like mechanics.

The interested parties will be trained by the ministry’s affiliate institution, Workforce Development Authority (WDA) at an affordable fee, and be awarded certificates to prove their knowledge in the respective fields. 

"For example, I studied Education, but I always need ICT skills in my work; since I may not have enough time to pursue another degree in the field (ICT), I can enroll for the short course-which is designed to give the basic knowledge needed,” Rutayisire said.

He added that the skills taught are those that are needed on the labour market.

"The philosophy of today’s employment is guided by the competitiveness on the labour market; we will respect this and equip people with what is demanded outside.”

WDA chief, Jerome Gasana, noted that the course schedules and the length have been made flexible to enable more people enrol. 

"We have made it more flexible; everyone, including senior three and six certificate holders, or graduates in any field may register anytime and pursue any course of their choice.”

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