The Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and C&H Garments have signed a memorandum of understanding to enable students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training to secure training and employment opportunities.
The Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and C&H Garments have signed a memorandum of understanding to enable students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training to secure training and employment opportunities.
With the government contributing 70 per cent and C&H Garments 30 per cent, the deal worth Rwf394 million will facilitate training of least 600 students in embroidery before being taken on for work at the factory.
Other 30 students will, during the course of the training, be taken to China to participate in special textile training.Speaking during the signing ceremony, yesterday, Anna Xoi Wey, the factory manager, said experts at the factory would engage students in various textile skills.
"We still need more workers at the factory but we can use experts already working to train more, a strategy that gives us an opportunity to focus on better expansion,” Anna said.
She also commended the government of Rwanda for its efforts in promoting private investments.
"Initially we used to export most of our products but beginning this year, majority of products such as school uniforms will be consumed by the local market,” she added.
Jerome Gasana, the director-general of WDA explained that the agreement is part of efforts to bolster the National Employment programme (NEP).
"We started this programme last year as part of efforts to promote skills that lead to employment. We thought that since company training is a necessity, investors can equip the trainees with the skills they require for better labor,” Gasana said.
He said that although 300 students obtained training and employment at the factory already, the demand is still very high.
"Last year 300 students were taken up and with this year’s arrangement, the total will reach 900. However, the factory needs about 3,000 skilled employees in total,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abdallah Ngabonziza, the National Employment Programme coordinator, said once textile students are trained in machine operations such as cutting, finishing they can meet international standards.
"We are looking for products that can satisfy both the local and international market. This requires specific standards that students should get accustomed to,” Ngabonziza said.
The training is scheduled to begin February 22 and will cover a period of six months.
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