TVET Expo kicks-off today

In order to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) particularly among the general public, the Workforce Development Authority (WDA), in collaboration with the Private Sector Federation, has organised a trade fair to be held at the Gikondo Expo Grounds. The exhibition will attract over 200 exhibitors from private companies, TVET institutions in hospitality and tourism sectors, construction and building services, ICT and Technical manufacturing among others.

Friday, December 09, 2011
Some of the equipment on display at the ongoing TVET expo in Gikondo. The New Times / Courtesy.

In order to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) particularly among the general public, the Workforce Development Authority (WDA), in collaboration with the Private Sector Federation, has organised a trade fair to be held at the Gikondo Expo Grounds.

The exhibition will attract over 200 exhibitors from private companies, TVET institutions in hospitality and tourism sectors, construction and building services, ICT and Technical manufacturing among others.

According to the organizers, the event will provide unique sales opportunities and a networking platform between the business community and TVET stakeholders.

Speaking at a symposium that preceded the expo yesterday, the Director of Partnership Building at WDA, Didier Munezero, urged Rwandans to embrace TVET so the country does not become a market for others.

"There are hardly any skills in the country and we have always had to rely on other countries for supply of technical skills. We must embrace this field and develop it because it has a big role in the country’s development,” he said.

He explained that many countries across the globe had developed after prioritising TVET, citing Singapore as one of them.

According to Jerome Gasana, the Director General of WDA, during the next academic year, enrolment into technical schools is anticipated to increase from 38 percent to at least 40 percent among O-Level school leavers.

He said WDA would focus on enhancing quality through value addition to the TVET curriculum in response to market demands.

charles.kwizera@newtimes.co.rw