Forty decision-makers from different government institutions and civil society organisations last week concluded a five-day training that was held in Kigali. The training was held under the theme “Equipping women and youth in Rwanda with skills for green Jobs.” Green jobs are decent jobs that contribute to preserve or restore the environment in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Rwanda has been investing more in creating many green jobs. Last year, Rwanda’s Green Fund (FONERWA) created 100,000 green jobs. Joseph Masengesho, Acting Programme Administrator of Association Pour la Promotion de l’ education et de la Formation a l’Etranger (APEFE), a non-profit organisation that seeks to boost skills development and institutional capacity building said green jobs are likely to help many people escape unemployment especially women and youth. Masengesho said that people need more skills and knowledge about the sector in order to be well-equipped for green industry. “Unemployment is still a challenging issue but through green jobs it can be solved. People need to know what a green job is and its impacts to the environment. Decision makers from the private sector and civil societies discussed about partnership in ensuring that more Rwandans join green jobs. Also, Educationists from technical schools have participated and we expect outcomes among students who are coming up with more initiatives. All should be friendlier to our environment”. The training aimed at strengthening the capacities of decision makers, social partners, TVET institutions as well as civil societies working with vulnerable women and youth to contribute to enhanced employability for women and vulnerable youth in emerging green industries. Chandni Lanfranchi, the training coordinator, said that since the country has many opportunities in terms of natural resources such as water, lands among others people should be trained enough on how to make use of them. She added that the trainees will help more young entrepreneurs to initiate more projects that are friendly to the climate. Alice Umuhire, a trainee from National women council, committed to encourage many women to join green jobs as well as sharing the knowledge about the sector. Another trainee Germain Niyomutabazi, Entrepreneurship, Development Policy Specialist at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said that he will use the acquired knowledge to train young entrepreneurs and encourage them to use many opportunities in green job industry. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
