Graduates from the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools countrywide have been advised to consider creating jobs instead of looking for employment.

The Director General of Workforce Development Authority (WDA) Jerome Gasana said the strategy will give chances to many youth in terms of securing jobs.

He made the remarks yesterday at the opening of a four- day retreat in Kigali that attracted 250 TVET graduates from various vocational schools in the country. 

"Contributing to the fight of unemployment should be the first priority and this should be done by putting to good use the skills acquired in the vocational training especially by making all possible efforts to create jobs,” said Gasana.

The retreat on Career and Life Management (CALM) is supported by Global Communities Rwanda; the former CHF International. 

Through the Usaid-funded programme dubbed "Higa Ubeho” such retreats are organised for TVET graduates or those on industrial attachment. They provide a platform where graduates share experiences and challenges to forge a way forward. 

Promoting youth 

Gasana used the retreat to reach out to graduates as well as those still undertaking their studies to work hard and contribute to the country`s development putting professionalism at the forefront. 

The Country Director of Global Communities-Rwanda, Milton Funes, said the initiative is a key portion in promoting youth through employment as well as national economic transformation generally. 

"Although these young men and women have the skills, it is equally important that they are guided especially at a time when they are going out there to face new challenges that come with penetrating the job market or even starting income generating projects,” Funes said.

This year, through "Higa Ubeho” Global Communities Rwanda will support 3,000 TVET students, according to officials. 

Some of the graduates taking part in the retreat appreciated the initiative saying it gives them hope especially as they enter a new phase of life.

Harriette Imanazabayo, a graduate of catering  who completed her studies at Mpanda Vocational Training Centre in Ruhango district of Southern Province said that the retreats prepare graduates for the future.

She said that completing school is one thing and getting out there is another; but that when they (graduates) interact, they get connections which she believes come with opportunities.