The youth from various sectors of Nyanza district are delighted with acquiring vocational skills which are seeing several of them getting their livelihoods changed for the better.
As IGIHE visited 111 young men and 20 ladies attending vocational training at Nyanza Technical School in construction, carpentry, mechanics, electric wiring and maintenance and plumbing, they demonstrated some of the acquired skills and unveiled how they are using them same to unlock wealth.
Djuma Nshimiyimana, 23, from Busasamana sector had abandoned school after completing ordinary level. After a long period of depending on parents’ support, he was attracted by the government’s program mobilizing the youth on vocational skills and joined Nyanza Technical School to study electricity wiring and maintenance.
“I am currently able to wire electricity in houses. I now do temporally jobs of electricity wiring and my clients are happy with the quality of work I do offer though I am still undergoing training. So, it gives me hope for a very bright future, becoming a man capable of earning an income from my own hands,” he enthuses.
Anitha Muhawenimana from Mukingo sector studying welding says she was too attracted to study vocational skills to overcome poverty. She dropped out of school after Primary 6.
“After Primary six, I became a housemaid. I later decided to study vocational skills after several government mobilizations. I am now capable of making metallic windows and doors. We also make several items including suitcases among others. Basing on acquired knowledge and interest in the courses, I see my future becoming bright,” she promises.
The youth say they formed associations at their homes which will facilitate them to seek loans from Business Development Partner as they graduate to create own jobs.
Leonard Manirambona, the head of Nyanza Technical School says that they teach the youth various skills under the National Employment Program “Kora Wigire” as a bid to encourage the creation of new jobs.
“We receive various trainees including people who left school from primary six and above,” he said.
The vice mayor in charge of social welfare in Nyanza district , Patric Kajyambere said the district supports the youth to form associations to create own jobs and become role models to those ignoring vocational skills.
“We help the youth to overcome prejudice against vocational training. After completing four-month courses, we help them to form cooperatives to create own jobs and develop themselves,” he said.
Kajyambere explained that 194 people from Nyanza district have graduated with vocational skills acquired through training organized under ‘Kora Wigire’ program and supervised in collaboration with BDF to connect them with Umurenge Saccos to be supported in creating own jobs.
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