Akazi Kanoze Access organizes the Construction Industry Day

{Construction employers, government representatives and Akazi Kanoze graduates
brainstorm on how to improve the quality and quantity of employment opportunities for
youth in the sector.}

Kigali, May 13, 2016: At Hill Top hotel in Remera (Kigali) took place the 1st Construction Industry Day meeting gathering young graduates from the Akazi Kanoze program, the Human Resources Department of the Rwandese Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) and several construction companies.

The aim of this meeting was to address the problems Rwandan youth beneficiaries from the Akazi Kanoze program are facing while job hunting, to enhance strong connections with the Private Sector and to facilitate knowledge sharing between organizations to boost youth employment and entrepreneurship.

During the meeting, the participants worked together to identify the challenges and opportunities for youth in the construction sector, share best practices in terms of youth employment in the sector, and advise Akazi Kanoze Access on how to best support youth in the sector to improve the quality and quantity of employment opportunities.

Challenges such as lack of experience, nepotism and corruption, not knowing English and Swahili,preference for University graduates versus Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) graduates,were mentioned by youth graduates as major obstacles for them while they seek employment. The panel members encouraged youth graduates to change their mindset, and not be afraid of challenges, to be
more confident about their abilities, and improve their communication skills.

Since its creation in 2009, the Akazi Kanoze program funded by USAID and implemented by the Education Development Center (EDC) has trained close to 20,000 youth in Rwanda among whom more than 65% of the graduates accessed economic opportunities six months after graduation. In 2015, Akazi Kanoze became an independent local NGO with the name Akazi Kanoze Access and intends to keep addressing youth employment problems and propose more solutions.