A new TVET system is trying to change the image of technical and vocational training and at the same time providing highly-skilled technicians.

In the old system, vocational training was rather low-tech. (file photo)

When talking to Ida Shabanga, a plumber teacher in Bugesera district, we were told that techniques and vocations have no specific program and curriculum adapted to the domain, in Rwandan context.

“For a period of more than two years, I have been struggling to get the content myself; there is no specific and official curriculum in this field. We often use a variety of contents either from Congo, Uganda and/or elsewhere,” said the plumbing teacher.

When the Workforce Development Authority (WDA) established in 2007, its mandate was to empower Rwandans with practical hands on skills through an Integrated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.

Contrary to the former dead ended vocational training system, TVET is now an open structure which allows students to upgrade through higher education levels, while at the same time providing opportunity to anybody who wish to join the system.

According to James Munyaneza, the marketing and communication specialist in WDA, the new system that have been established will value most the concept of vocations and trainings to an interesting level.

“As a student, if you would have studied everything that deals with vocations and trainings you would be simply minimized in the community of decent workers, you could only be needed for short term interventions like car, tub, and refrigerator or ceiling reparation,” said Munyaneza.

“But now, there is a strong hope that within our mission of promoting, guiding, upgrading skills and competencies within the development, will valorize techniques and vocational concepts, in order to enhance competitiveness and employability through TVET system,” explained the marketing manager.

“The policy had already been established and we are working now on a various strategic plans that will support it, we are also working with a number of expatriates to come up with a specific and adapted curriculum that will be used into these technical and vocational schools. You can now be assured that any student finished the TVET schools will be highly demanded on the market,” added Munyaneza.

He further said that one of the main points behind WDA philosophy, is the demand led competency based skills development. In the regard the WDA to achieve that, will establish five subsidiary model training centers under the names of Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center (IPRC), one in each province and another in the Kigali city.

“We have already two operating, in Kigali and southern province. There is the former ETO Kicukiro and the CFJ Gacuriro that are now working jointly under the IPRC Kigali.  We have also the former CFP Kavumu transformed into IPRC southern province. Meanwhile we are also putting in place another IPRC Northern Province which will combine the Tumba College of technology, ETO Ngoma and ETO Karongi, remarked Munyaneza.

The IPRCs as explained by him will ensure that all curriculums that are implemented under the WDA framework arise out of the needs of employers concerning the skills needs.

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