Rwanda: Six centres to be opened to help miners learn from the workplace

The Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union has announced that six centres will soon be established across the country to offer mining training under the Workplace Learning Support Programme (IGIRA KU MURIMO).

The Workplace Learning Support Programme is part of efforts by the Ministry of Education and its affiliated institutions, the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, and other partners, aimed at bridging the gap between job seekers and the skills demanded by the labour market.

Speaking on RBA’s ‘Dusangire Ijambo’ programme on Sunday evening, Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi, Chairperson of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), said that this gap is caused by various factors, particularly the rapid growth of Rwanda’s economy, which results in the creation of new projects requiring innovation and technology, often leading to a mismatch in pace.

“That is why PSF engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Education to explore how students could acquire knowledge while also gaining practical skills through work placements, ensuring their education is both complementary and relevant. This will enable us to produce the workforce needed for the future”, she said.

The Workplace Learning Support Programme combines time in TVET institutions (for soft skills) with time in companies (for practical skills). An individual who trains within a company undergoes an assessment of their skills and, if successful, is awarded a certificate. This allows them to move between companies, demonstrating their abilities and securing employment without difficulty.

The Ministry of Education and its agencies are responsible for verifying the skills of trainees to award certificates. If a candidate falls short in some areas, they are advised to undergo further training; where necessary, they are directed to areas requiring improvement.

In the mining sector, six centres will soon be launched to train miners who have not attended formal mining schools, as explained by André Mutsindashyaka, Secretary General of the Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU), speaking on behalf of CESTRAR.

He said, “The mining department at the University of Rwanda and the RP- Kigali College started teaching mining studies less than ten years ago, yet mining in Rwanda dates back to 1930. We have miners skilled in using explosives who have never been soldiers or attended a mining school. Today, we have six centres ready to train miners on the workplace, targeting around 450 miners.”

About 70% of ‘Igira ku Murimo’ trainees secure employment

The Minister of Public Service and Labour, Ambassador Nkulikiyinka, highlighted the success of the programme, noting that 70% of participants secure employment immediately afterwards. She urged the private sector to offer more internship opportunities to further support job creation.

Besides those learning on the job, Minister Nkulikiyinka encouraged those already employed to continue upgrading their skills to avoid redundancy due to changing requirements. She especially urged young people to harness technology to create their own jobs and to respect all forms of employment that provide income.

Employment has doubled over the past seven years

A recent report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows that in 2024, 358,000 jobs were created, up from 155,000 in 2017. The number of employed people increased from around three million to 4.4 million.

Ambassador Nkulikiyinka stated, “This means that over 1.4 million more people have found jobs. This is something to celebrate and motivates us to continue working with our partners to achieve even more. NISR figures also show that the national economy has grown, and poverty levels have decreased from around 40% to 24.7% in 2024.This demonstrates that job creation directly improves citizens’ living conditions.”

On the other side, Mubiligi emphasised that the number of private businesses has grown by 43% over the past seven years, and 95% of the jobs created are in the private sector.

“PSF is tasked with supporting various federations, including those representing industries, agricultural investors, traders, service providers, as well as specialised groups such as women entrepreneurs, youth entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs with disabilities. We also have a mandate to continue advocating for business and investment-friendly laws and regulations”, she said.

Employment contracts in the private sector remain a challenge

March figures from NISR show that only 28% of permanent employees have formal contracts, compared to 66% of casual labourers.

Mutsindashyaka said that workers’ unions are continuing negotiations with employers to ensure more employees are given proper contracts. He noted, “We keep pressing for this and are grateful to PSF, as we can see that things are changing. Having a contract helps workers access loans from banks and protects employers from potential disputes. Unfortunately, many employers still avoid offering contracts.”

“Over the past few years, PSF has increased efforts to promote decent work and respect for workers’ rights, including the necessity of employment contracts. Contracts are vital because without them, workers feel undervalued. Employers may fail to provide insurance or pay the required taxes, which can have serious consequences”, Mubiligi observed.

“In a country where workers lack employment contracts, those workers are denied basic rights and social protections, meaning that in old age they will be unable to support themselves and the state will have to step in. As the private sector, we make sure to explain these points clearly, and there are encouraging signs of growing understanding”, she added.