FEATURE:Youth are integral in national development

Amongst strategies that can never be ignored towards attaining National Development, is youths` effective involvement or taking centre stage in building or rebuilding their nations. In that respect, irrespective of the level of skills or knowledge attained, youth should take own initiative to participate but a helping hand should also be at hand. However, as we note the importance and impact of the youths` fight for development, a point to note is their skills’ level. Of course there are those who academically reach higher institutions of learning to go as far as attaining diplomas, degrees and a lot more. In most cases such people play their part as expected by the society, unlike others who do not get the chance to attain higher academic levels. However, although such boys and girls may not reach that level, the reality is that they are among the youth who deserve to take centre stage towards developing their country. It`s therefore necessary to get concerned about such youth due to the fact that besides contributing to the development of their nations, they need an assurance in a better future. However, different countries need different skills depending on the level of development attained and deserved. For Rwanda, a variety of skills are needed in rebuilding the country given its history most remembered fifteen years ago for the wrong reasons. Although skills may be equally important, the construction industry can never be ignored given the pace at which this country has gained momentum in construction among other areas. Construction is actually wide as in it constitutes mason work, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and other related works. It is in that contest that some who have not been lucky enough for some reasons to attain skills of higher learning be given a chance to acquire such skills. However, the cost at which skills can be acquired remains a challenge to many. Based on such challenges, any effort put forward to helping such people should be highly appreciated. However little it may appear to be, its effects can cause a remarkable change in the future if more players join hands. It is in that respect that Action Aid is currently sponsoring a three months training of about 200 youth from different districts in various disciplines that include Plumbing, Mason work, Carpentry and Auto-mobile works. Joseph Mfinanga, the Principal of Kicukiro College of Technology, said that the exercise is aimed at imparting skills to youths who are not able to go for further studies, so that they can be able to work when employed or to initiate their own jobs. “Trainers are participating eagerly and reports from the instructor are promising. Therefore I am optimistic that by the end of the three months there will be remarkable achievements,” he said. He noted that given the commitment trainees have shown, when more such chances show-up, many students will benefit. Polline Nyiranteziyamye one of the trainees in the plumbing section, from Nyanza district, Southern Province, said that ever since she started the training, many things have come into her mind of how she can get employed based on the knowledge she has acquired and ready to apply in the field. “I had never thought of being employed as a plumber, but for the period I have been in the training, based on the knowledge I have got, I see many possiblities,” Nyiranteziyamye said. According to Nyiranteziyamye, she has been exposed to different equipments used in the water department but what counts most, is that she has also been taught how to apply these tools during work. “I am able to connect and run a water system noting the distance, pipe size and pressure that will be used to pump the water to the desired destination,” she explained. To her point of view, experience in any kind of work is attained with time and practice. “I believe that as one practices more, the more one becomes competent in a particular line of work.” Robert Nik’ibishaka, another trainee but in the Auto-mobile section, commended the service. He said this kind of service will give hope to many more that will be given the opportunity to acquire such important skills. “I am sure that such arrangements will help the youth searching for employment and skills development,” he noted. He added that it has always been in his interest to become a mechanic, the reason behind his choice of section. “I have interest in the course I am practising, this has helped me to easily understand what the instructor teaches,” he said explaining that by the end of the training, he hopes to have learnt a lot. According to Aimable Manzi, Workforce Development Authority (WDA) Instructor for mason students, trainees need to focus on the techniques used in these works. “We are making sure that they (trainees) realise what it takes to be in a certain field of work,” Manzi said. Like Manzi, Theopiste Nyiraneza, a plumbing instructor stressed that the techniques used in the use of some tools when installing water systems is very important for students to note alongside others practices. In a related development, Kicukiro College of Technology has engaged students to apply their professional skills to install water systems that will supply the institute and building stone foundations for permanent water tanks. Alongside being part of the on going exercise, the programme has been basically organised to ensure that students practically built on their skills during the holidays. “The exercise has kept me productively busy since I am learning from others,” Richard Buliro, a second year student, said. According to the Principle upon completion of the three months training, trainees while be awarded certificates of successful completion in their respective disciplines. “To give clear evidence that these trainees have successfully completed the training, certificates shall be awarded to them upon completion,” he said. He further explained that such a recommendation will serve as proof to any potential employer or when applying for further training. Meanwhile, Professor Geoffrey Rugenge, Executive Director Higher Education Council, commended the programme as being in line with governments` efforts to bridge the skills gap. According to Rugenge, the survey conducted by HIDA exposed that skills in plumbing, mason work, electrical, carpentry are on high demand but Rwandans with such skills do mot match the demand. “We are importing and spending a lot of money on labour with such skills from other countries.” He explained that government is planning to give more support to institutions like Tumba college of Technology, Kicukiro College of Technology, Kigali Institute of Technology among others. He said that this will help to improve the capacity of these institutes in order to produce more graduates. Email : mugoyag@yahoo.com