This Thursday 16^th December 2021, Honorable Rwanyindo Kayirangwa Fanfan, Minister of Public Service and Labour officiated the Closing Ceremony of the Workplace Learning Support Programme (WPLSP) - Igira Ku Murimo, which took place at Kigali Convention Center. The ceremony was co-hosted by MIFOTRA, APEFE, and Private Sector Federation (PSF).

Participants included H.E Bert Versmessen, Ambassador designate of the Kingdom of Belgium to Rwanda; Representative of APEFE Head Office; Hubert KAGABO, Ag. Programme Administrator-APEFE Rwanda; Senior Government officials; Development Partners; Companies and Schools Managers and Apprentices.  

In her opening remarks and keynote address, Minister Rwanyindo, Guest of Honour, commended the Kingdom of Belgium through its Embassy to Rwanda that supported the Workplace Learning Programme within five years. She said: “I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Kingdom of Belgium, through its Embassy in Kigali and the Belgium Directorate-General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD), for choosing our Country to support a five-year Workplace Learning Support Programme (2017-2021), focusing on quality, inclusive and equitable dual training for Rwandan youth and women.”

H.E Bert Versmessen, Ambassador designate of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Rwanda, thanked the Government of Rwanda and the Ministry of Public Service and Labour in particular to make the Workplace Learning Programme a reality. He said: I take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, and the Government of Rwanda for this excellent partnership throughout the implementation of the Workplace Learning Support Programme.”

While highlighting the significant impact that the Workplace Learning Programme leaves out in the country’s labour market and its contribution to youth and women employment, Minister Rwanyindo stated: “We are grateful that the Workplace Learning Support Programme trained 461 youth and women in dual training and enabled them to be competitive in the labor market and boosted their self-employment. The Workplace Learning Support Programme prioritized the investment in institutional and individual capacity building as a way of paving the way for the promotion of workplace learning.”

Minister Rwanyindo also said that the Government of Rwanda adopted the Workplace Learning Policy as a way to improve the quality of skills development for the labour market. She also explained the complementarity between the Universities and Higher Learning institutions and the workplace learning programme, she said: “Universities and Higher Learning Institutions are known for being holders of knowledge and Workplace Learning brings the complementarity by linking learning with activity because learning and doing cannot be separated and therefore to use knowledge to its fullest potential must be implemented, performed and enhanced as part of a synergy.”

APEFE - through the Workplace Learning Programme - has provided equipment and capacity building to TVET schools and companies; assisted the Federation of the Private Sector in establishing the IMANZI Business Institute which drives skills development for the growth of the Private Sector; established the Fashion and Design Department at IPRC Kigali; and motivated youth with disabilities to unlock their potentials through dual training.

Beneficiaries are happy to have got trainings and expanded their career through the workplace learning programme:

Aimé INGABIRE, an apprentice enrolled in hairdressing recommends the programme as it has changed her life from vulnerability to competitiveness towards self-employment. She said: “I was excited to put into practice the soft and basic technical skills that I acquired from TVET School. I was supported to improve my skills in hairdressing and gain new skills such as making deadlocks.”

Daniel NIZEYIMANA, a dual training graduate in food processing said that the programme woke him up to find what he can do. He said: after my secondary school, I was not able to continue with the university due to lack of financial means. I was lucky to be admitted in dual training in food processing. I can make bread, cake, juice, wine and other products related to food processing. Therefore, I started a small bakery, and I am now able to rent a workplace at 350,000 frw per month. I generate income and make savings that will help to grow my business in the near future.”

Patrick TWAJIMANA, a dual training graduate in tailoring says that the Workplace Learning Programme has taken him from being a waiter to a Company Manager. He said: My life changed when I was admitted in dual training. After completion of the training, I bought a used sewing machine. After a long time, I decided to rent five more machines, and registered my company. From a bar waiter, I am now the manager of Berwa Company Limited. I produce quality clothes for women, men and children. I collaborate with Ngarama Sector to train vulnerable youth in tailoring. I am thankful to IGIRA KU MURIMO programme for all efforts invested to help me become a successful entrepreneur.”

Under the support of Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD) through APEFE, the Workplace Learning Support Programme – IGIRA KU MURIMO, the pilot phase of the Workplace Learning Policy from 2017 to 2021, aims at supporting the role of the private sector and training providers in the implementation of dual training in Rwanda to ensure that youth employability skills are boosted to contribute to Rwanda economic growth.