Scrap internship fees, firms told

Companies that demand money from students in exchange for internship have been warned to desist from the practice. The Director General of Workforce Development Authority (WDA), Jerome Gasana, yesterday, said that the practice defeats the whole purpose of internship. The warning came after it emerged that some students have been asked to pay for industry placement to practice what they have learnt in school. “First of all, it is expensive for students to go for internship. Some students have been calling me saying they were asked to pay for it,” the Director of Kibali Vocational Training Centre, Eng. Eugene Ruzindana, said. He explained that while some companies have been supportive, others have continued to frustrate students. The concerns were raised during a workshop organized by WDA in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aimed at strengthening links between Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools and the industry. Gasana explained that although the internship programme primarily benefits students, Rwandan employers benefit, in the long-run, as well. “If students are asked to buy some materials to help them in the training, it’s understandable, but if it’s an admission fee, then I’m sure it’s uncalled for,” Gasana said. Speaking to The New Times, Utexrwa’s Chief Finance Officer Ritesh Patel, said companies should support students instead of exploiting them. “We normally bring in about 40 students, but we also try to support them financially when need be, so they can successfully complete the training,” he said. grace.mugoya@newtimes.co.rw

National

Scrap internship fees, firms told