A total of 161 students who completed three-month vocational training courses under the Skills Development Fund (SDF) program say the skills they acquired will help them improve their livelihoods, having gained practical, market-relevant competencies in today’s fast-changing world. The beneficiaries were youths who had previously completed secondary education in various general education streams but lacked practical, job-specific skills.
Through the SDF program, established by the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), secondary school graduates were equipped with hands-on skills in various trades, including professional painting and interior decoration, ceiling installation, asphalt road maintenance, paving construction, land surveying and drafting, as well as masonry.
Col. Dr. Barnabé Twabagira, the Principal of RP Huye College, expressed confidence that the training would transform the lives of the graduates, as each of them now has a skill that can earn them an income or enable them to start their own businesses.
“These are training programs aligned with current labor market needs and they lead directly to employment. The certificates awarded will help graduates enter the world of work, and we trust they will use the skills effectively.” He spoke.
Dr. Twabagira added that although the training period is short, the learners spend all their time in real work environments, allowing them to acquire solid practical experience and graduate with meaningful competencies.
Some of the graduates told the media that they are confident and that the skills they gained have already started generating income for them.
Nshimiyimana Emmanuel and Tuyishimire Egidie, who trained in painting and decoration, said that entering this trade immediately opened doors to employment they had not imagined, especially after struggling with unemployment.
“I had been jobless for a long time, but as soon as I started learning painting, I began getting small jobs. Even after completing the course, I have had continuous work for the past two months. I really appreciate the government for introducing this program.” Said Nshimiyimana.
Tuyishimire explained that after studying physics, mathematics, and chemistry in 2022, he failed to find a job and turned to bricklaying. He later got the opportunity to enroll at RP Huye to study painting and decoration, which has now started earning him income, as clients often hire him to paint houses after he completes construction work.
He now aspires to offer professional paint-mixing services and, in the coming years, to own a hardware shop specializing in selling and mixing paint, confident in the skills he has acquired.
Kamana André, the Vice Mayor of Huye District in charge of Economic Development, said that the government’s focus on equipping youth with employable skills is one of the key strategies to reduce youth unemployment. He urged the graduates to make good use of the skills they acquired, uphold professionalism, integrity, and good work ethics—values that some practitioners in the construction sector often neglect.
“There is a saying that a skilled artisan does not roam aimlessly. Anyone with technical skills today has a real opportunity. A so-called artisan is a competent and self-respecting technician. You are fortunate to have acquired vocational skills; do not be lazy or betray clients’ trust, because that is unacceptable.” Said vice mayor Kamana.
Vice Mayor Kamana also encouraged the youth to avoid drug abuse and unethical practices in their work, and to cultivate a culture of saving, so as to secure a better future and make their families and the nation proud.
The training is provided free of charge, with beneficiaries even receiving transport allowances to attend classes. Many other young people have expressed interest in accessing the same opportunity. However, RP Huye officials say increasing the number of beneficiaries is currently limited by available resources, as vocational training requires costly equipment and materials.
