Promoting Market Oriented Skills Training and Employment Creation in the Great Lakes Region

The project supports the Governments of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to improve access, quality and relevance of their respective Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems. This addresses the key development challenge of unemployment and underemployment brought about by the low quality of skills provided by the current systems.
Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo, commonly referred to as the Great Lakes region, are historically and geographically linked together and share a number of challenges inherited from a troublesome colonial period. They have in the past faced situations of political instability which have accelerated armed conflicts. The three countries face common challenges albeit not to the same proportion. These range from weak private sectors, shortages in skilled workforce, weak vocational training institutions and training systems, insufficient qualification frameworks and large numbers of unemployed youth.
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Ibanda, DR Congo
-2.216667
17.033333
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Kadutu, DR Congo
-2.5154752
28.852398
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Bagira, DR Congo
-2.4712741
28.8276355
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Nyantende, DR Congo
-2.5676096
28.8631013
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Kavumu, DR Congo
-2.2998022
28.7955841
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Mumosho, DR Congo
-2.6227207
28.8778277
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Nyangezi, DR Congo
-2.6627375
28.874244
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Walungu, DR Congo
-2.7081207
28.6468977
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Katana, DR Congo
-2.224786
28.830917
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Mudaka, DR Congo
-2.403731
28.810835
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Kayanza, Burundi
-2.9234745
29.6277775
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Ngozi, Burundi
-2.9107175
29.8243599
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Cibitoke, Burundi
-2.9107321
29.1262613
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Muramvya, Burundi
-3.2898398
29.6499162
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Nyamasheke, Rwanda
-2.3909755
29.1855785
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Rusizi, Rwanda
-2.5302697
29.1855785
invalid
Ngororero, Rwanda
-1.831921
29.5571677
invalid
Karongi, Rwanda
-2.1769816
29.464359
invalid
Nyabihu, Rwanda
-1.6955422
29.5571677
invalid
Rutsiro, Rwanda
-1.9705898
29.464359
invalid
Rubavo, Rwanda
-1.6479132
29.3482646
Project duration
2012 - 2022
Financed by
  • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC

The project

The PROMOST project is currently in its third implementation phase. It uses a systemic approach and works closely with formal and informal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) players and the local rural population to achieve two main outcomes:

  • Gainful employment or self-employment through quality VET, labour market insertion and certification for rural and peri-urban disadvantaged young men and women.
  • A sustainable and inclusive VET system, oriented towards regional integration (within the Great Lakes Region and EAC) that delivers high quality, relevant and accessible VET to all.

Burundi 

Context

48% of Burundians are under 15 years old, and 51% of the working population is between 15 and 35 years. Presently, Burundi faces declining fertility and soil degradation as nearly 90% of her people live in rural areas and practice small-scale subsistence farming. Formal and informal MSMEs are the real engine of employment and economic growth. Burundi is currently undergoing significant changes in administrative and economic governance related to the structural transformation of its national economy.

Project Implementation

PROMOST focusses on improving the orientation and integration process of young unemployed beneficiaries into the labour market. The interventions focus on further developing the relevance and quality of the technical and vocational training delivery system and learning model. The project also promotes the recognition of prior learning scheme, encourages ownership and improvements to the stakeholder professional capacities.

The skills enhanced by PROMOST include bakery, culinary arts, knitting, tailoring, shoemaking/leatherwork, carpentry, welding, basketry, automotive mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, bicycle mechanics, hairdressing, bricklaying, electricity, electronic device maintenance, paving and paving production, masonry, hospitality, soap making, honey art and plumbing.

Goals

The PROMOST project seeks to contribute to improved employment opportunities and income generation for 3,800 youth (50% female) from the rural population in Burundi. The project will achieve this by improving their access to quality and labour market-oriented vocational training.

Rwanda

Context 

Rwanda is a landlocked country with limited mineral resources and a genocidal background, which shook up its economic growth. Through political stability, prudent macroeconomic policies, promotion of good governance and a favorable investment climate, Rwanda has been able to grow and lower its inflation. However, Rwanda's economy is threatened by a steady population growth rate and low human resource capacity. The Rwandan government has prioritized TVET to improve the technical skills of its workforce and ensure alignment to the labour market needs.

New Approach

PROMOST seeks to support the Rwandan Government in increasing the number of TVET enrolments from 31.1% to 60% by 2024 through improved access, quality, and relevance of the existing system. PROMOST takes up a facilitative role in its implementation and applies a systemic and holistic approach by supporting its stakeholders at the national and local levels to enhance ownership.

The PROMOST project will pilot the dual training system for the benefit of the rural and peri-urban population in Rwanda. This involves the integration of workforce learning through a combination of theoretical training at the 6 TVET schools built by PROMOST in its previous phases, and part-time apprenticeships at a hosting company. Trainees have an opportunity to improve their hands-on skills and acquire market-relevant knowledge. The technical skills training sessions are focused on market-driven skills such as masonry, culinary arts, electricity, carpentry, food processing, auto mechanics, welding, and tailoring.

Apart from the training and certification through the dual training system, PROMOST implements several activities. These include but are not limited to Training of Trainers (ToT), capacity building of TVET managers and stakeholders, construction and equipment of dormitories and refectories in the Muganza, Shangi, Rubengera and Muhororo TVET schools, recognition of prior-learning initiatives, rehabilitation of micro-training providers in the informal sector, linkages between the private sector and the TVET providers, support for business development and entrepreneurship.

Goals

PROMOST aims to train and certify 1,000 youth using dual training and the Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPL/E) system. It expects that at least 500 youth will be economically active through wage or self-employment.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Context 

As a result of a 6-year civil war (in the late 1990s- early 2000s), many children in DR Congo did not receive any education. The governance system does not promote employment opportunities for the majority of the youth. The low literacy levels have drastically affected employment, with nearly 34% of the working population earning less than $5 per day. In South Kivu, where the PROMOST project is implemented, many jobs depend on the environment, making them unsteady.

Project Implementation

The PROMOST project uses a systemic approach and works closely with formal and informal TVET stakeholders and the rural population. 

The project activities include career guidance, job placement and entrepreneurship support, relevant and quality training, validation of prior learning and experiences, strengthened operations and management of TVET to respond effectively to the needs of the local market.

PROMOST focuses on 26 professions oriented towards the market needs. These are cooking, bakery and pastry-making, embroidery, tiling, masonry, carpentry, hairdressing, cutting & sewing, decoration, domestic electricity, gillnet making, tile making, dugout canoe making, juice manufacturing, furniture upholstery, photovoltaic installation, leather goods & shoemaking, auto mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, carpentry, domestic plumbing, soap making, welding and fitting, dyeing, basket weaving and hand knitting.

Goals

PROMOST seeks to contribute to improved employment opportunities and income generation for 2,600 youth (50% female) from the rural population in targeted areas in DR Congo.

 

Project partners

Burundi

  • Craftsmen of Kayanza, Muruta, Kabarore, Muhanga, Butaganzwa, Gahombo, Gatara and Matongo communes in Kayanza Province
  • Craftsmen of Busiga commune in Ngozi Province
  • Craftsmen of Buganda, Murwi, Rugombo and Mabayi communes in Cibitoke Province
  • Local Government Authorities in the concentration zones
  • The Sectorial Chamber of Art and Crafts (CHASAA)
  • The Collective for the Promotion of Youth Associations (CPAJ)
  • Training centres run by the religious congregations of Matongo, Rwegura and Maramvya
  • Kayanza Center for the Promotion of Crafts (PAK)
  • Burundi Business Incubator (BBIN)
  • Action avec les Enfants et les Femmes vulnérables (AFEV)
  • Association pour la Reconstruction Global (ARG)

Rwanda

  • Ministry of Education (MINEDUC)
  • Workforce Development Authority (WDA)
  • Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre in the Western Province in Karongi (IPRC West)
  • Governor’s Office - Western Province
  • Artisan/Craftsmen Association – Western Province
  • Private Sector Federation (PSF)
  • Western Province and Local Authorities in all targeted districts (Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rubavu and Rutsiro Districts)
  • SKAT Consulting Ltd.
  • Local Professional Organizations
  • TVET Schools – Muganza, Shangi, Rubengera, Bumba, Nyabihu and Muhororo

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

  • The Provincial Ministry of Education
  • The Provincial Youth Division
  • World Confederation of Artisans (CMA)
  • Craftsmanship Society (SMA)
  • South Kivu Local Economy Counter (GEL-South Kivu)

Results 2021

  • 15,240 youth (7,702 female) attended the professional orientation.
  • 3,180 youth (2,488 female) received coaching in entrepreneurship, access to financial services and savings.
  • 3,120 youth (1,598 female) completed short term and apprenticeships trainings.
  • 344 artisans (168 female) were taken through Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions.
  • 2,430 artisans (892 female) received validation for their skills under the Recognition of Prior Learning/Experience (RPL/E) initiative.
  • 735 apprentices (274 female) attended the dual training programme.
Project Journey and Key Achievements 2012 - 2020
PROMOST (Promoting Market-Oriented Skills Training) in the Great Lakes Region is currently in its eighth year of operations in Rwanda and is about to round up the third phase of the 12-year SDC programme that aims at supporting the Government of Rwanda’s efforts to improve access to as well as quality and relevance of its TVET system. This regional programme extended its activities to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo during phase 2. PROMOST is financed by SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation). 

News

Rwanda
19.02.2022
Rwanda: TVET Schools to Receive a Facelift to Improve Learning
On 19th February 2022, His Excellency Mr. Valentin Zellweger, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Rwanda alongside Hon. Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, the Rwanda Minister of Education, officially presided over the inauguration of the construction of dormitories and refectories for four out of six TVET schools, previously built by the PROMOST project in the Western Province. The four schools will benefit from the facelift intended to increase student enrolment and improve learning. The official launch was held at Rubengera TVET School in Karongi District.
Rwanda
10.06.2021
LinkedIn Article: Gender in the TVET System and sustainable TVET School Infrastructure
Building schools and dormitories has been the biggest step toward improving access to the TVET system for young women and ensuring equal presence of young men and women in schools or training centres.

Last week, a delegation visited the constructed boarding facilities in Rwanda, among them the Minister of State for TVET & ICT, Hon Claudette Irere, together with a delegation of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, local authorities and Swisscontact representatives.
DR Congo
Initial vocational education and training
08.03.2021
Creating a livelihood through carpentry training – Iragi's story
19-year-old Iragi trained in carpentry and entrepreneurship in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today, she makes furniture and sells it to households in her neighbourhood.