EASTERN PROVINCE KAYONZA— Students who study technical skills have been urged to create their own jobs. Speaking at Amizero Vocational Training Centre in Kayonza district last week, during a graduation ceremony, John Bideri, the school executive director, noted that the skills acquired in technical schools should empower students to develop themselves and the country. “The institution has empowered you with skills of high quality and we have no doubt that you will easily venture into both self employment and direct employment,” he said. A total of 305 students graduated in different technical skills including; bricklaying, joinery, Electrical and electronic repair, Plumbing, catering, and welding. “Go out in the world and use your skills and talent to develop yourselves, support your families and your country,” Bideri added. He commended the government and funding partners of the training centre for their continued support. “We are grateful to the government of Rwanda and donors who have continued to provide invaluable support to train students at our centre,” Bideri said. Sam Gakwaya, the coordinator of the centres’ training programmes, urged graduands to always exhibit integrity in execution of their duties. He explained that trainees at Amizero Training centre are taken through a six months intensive training including 80% pure practical work and 20 % of the time dedicated to theory. He pointed out that the centre name (Amizero) represets a place of hope for a better future. Speaking on behalf of the graduands, Deo Ndayambaje, thanked Amizero staff for extending the skills to them and hailed the funding partners for their contribution. Addressing the students, Charles Karake, the director of Human Resource and Institutional Capacity Development Agency (HIDA), who acted as the chief guest said that the country emphasizes such skills in order to develop. He asked the district authorities to support the school by allocating it more land on which they can extend their development activities. Karake also urged directors of vocational institutions to work closely with the Ministry of Education in order to have similar teaching curriculum for the benefit of their students. According to Bideri, Amizero training centre was started in 2003 to respond to emerging needs of youth and other disadvantaged groups who would not continue with the main stream education. Ends
