Technical graduates challenged to fill skills gap

Technical and vocational education graduates have been challenged to fill the human resource gap in engineering sector. The remarks were made on Saturday by Jerome Gasana, the director general of the Workforce Development Authority (WDA), during the second graduation of Saint Joseph Integrated Technical College (SJITC) Nyamirambo, Kigali. ( Left - Right) Brother Pie Sebakiga, the Principal of SSITC, Jerome Gasana of WDA and Hon. Senator Chrysologue Karangwa during the graduation (All photos by Eddie Nsabimana) A total of 97 students from a combined 2010, 2011/12 and 2013 intakes graduated with diplomas. They included 85 boys and 12 girls. Gasana noted that there are a number of jobs in construction sector which technical graduates can fill once they prove their ability and competence to do them. He observed that the school’s academic reputation is not recognised through structures, equipment or even qualified teaching staff but the quality of its graduates. He urged the graduates who cannot find jobs to create their own rather than running after employers. “There is no need to waste time applying for jobs here and there when you are fully equipped with skills. The country doesn’t wish to see a technical graduate looking for a job. They should be able to create jobs instead. I hope you will be among job creators rather than seekers,” he said. Brother Pie Sebakiga, the College Principal, asked graduates to practice what they learnt. “As long as graduates put into practice what they learned during their studies, I don’t doubt their skills will be useful to the country’s development. The school will also keep on working with them in areas of capacity building and offer support as we usually do,” he said. Assumpta Mukanemeye, a civil engineering female graduate called on girls to embrace technical education. “Some girls wrongly think technical education is difficult but they are mistaken. It is a matter of understanding. They need to change their perception about engineering,” she argued. The government has put more efforts in technical education since the Workforce Development Authority was established in 2009. The number of technical schools has increased from 65 to 385 schools in the last five years.

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Technical graduates challenged to fill skills gap