As part of the intervention implemented in partnership with the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), the Belgian Cooperation, through Enabel’s Urban Economic Development intervention (UEDi), funds a dual training programme implemented in partnership with Rwanda TVET Board (RTB).

The programme focuses on skills development in construction trades including masonry, plumbing, welding, electricity, and carpentry. It puts more emphasis on the use of Made in Rwanda construction materials.

Apprentices spend 1-3 months at school to acquire relevant theoretical and basic practical skills to prepare them for workplace integration. The UEDi Work-Place Learning (WPL) intervention focuses on cooperative modern training with companies in the formal construction sector with the aim to contribute to the implementation of TVET and WPL policies and to make TVET more relevant and demand-driven.

Since March 2021, 145 candidates enrolled in the programme in three selected schools, namely Ecole Scientifique et Technique (EST) Busogo, Saint Martin Gisenyi, and Saint Kizito Musha TVET schools.
In May 2021, all trainees were placed in construction companies for work-based learning where they are coached by in-company instructors to enhance their hands-on skills and workplace attitudes.
In the workplaces, trainees acquired a variety of practical skills such as setting out a construction site, foundation and wall elevation, steel fixing and wall plastering to mention but some.

Though the training is ongoing, some company owners and trainers had such appreciation for the work of trainees and their attitudes that they already hired some of them.