Strategic Skills Development and Youth Employment National Dialogue Council December , 13th -14th 2012

Strategic Skills Development and Youth Employment Key questions to be addressed: What is the current situation regarding youth employment? What are the skills gaps in the potential strategic sectors? What are the existing youth employment programmes and initiatives? What are proposed mechanisms to address shortcomings?

What is the current situation regarding youth employment? Rwanda must strategically develop its Youth to be the drivers of its economic growth 39% of Rwanda’s total population are aged btn 14 - 35yrs (youth). Majority of this category (62.2%) have either never been to school or have not yet completed primary. 64% of the age group16-29 (still within youth bracket) are underemployed. Highest levels of inactivity are amongst those with some primary or secondary education . “Finding a job is not easy… I am tired of finding small jobs here and there, what I need is a career!” Rwandan Youth This situation is not only a concern for youth but for the private sector and the Nation as a whole

None Education or Some Primary What are the skills gaps in the potential strategic sectors? Higher Education & Vocational Training Some Secondary None Education or Some Primary The country is suffering from a 40% skills deficit 72% of Rwanda’s labour force is in agricultural sector. High growth sectors such as tourism, construction, mining, etc, all have significant shortages (over 40%) at the technician and skilled labour levels. This is the normal trend in any society The skills acquisition process should reflect reality 4.9% 32.2% 62.8% Understanding the root causes of this gap will enable the design of impactful interventions

Rwanda’s private sector will require bridging of the skills gap at all levels  Education level and literacy Compiled Indicator Rwanda Gap /Transition to Knowledge Economy Adult literacy rate 91 71 -20 Primary school enrolment rate 92 99 7 Secondary school enrolment rate 75 32 -43 Tertiary education enrolment rate 28 4 -24 Employment Rate by level of education Secondary Junior graduates: 31% Secondary Senior graduates: 70% Higher education graduates: 76% Vocational graduates: 90% If Rwanda is to be self-reliant development of skills is essential

Four key factors contribute to youth unemployment Skills Technical Skills General business and entrepreneurial skills Attitude “I can’t do it (it’s not for me)” “Someone else will take care of me” “Discipline (I don’t care attitude)” The SARS virus is affecting our youth Resources Financial Human Support Access to advice and guidance Mentorship

Coordination is critical to maximizing all these efforts What are the existing youth employment programmes and initiatives? A number of stakeholders are each doing their part to help address the virus (Progress thus far) Skills TVET Industrial attachment program Professional Internship Employability Skills Training for fresh graduates Incubation Business Program Apprenticeship programme Sector Skills Council Attitude Entrepreneurship Development Curriculum changes National Service YEGO Agaciro Kanjye Resources BDS and firm level support Business Plan Competition Program DED Program COOJAD ICPCs Integrated Craft Production Centers Kuremera Program Hanga Umurimo Decent Work Premises BDF Support Career Advisory services Labour Market Information Systems Coordination is critical to maximizing all these efforts

Proposed key Strategic Interventions for Self Reliance tervention 1: Short-term Training for unskilled work force for self reliance Intervention 1: Short-term Training for unskilled work force for self reliance Special focus on vocational and other business skills acquisition Priority sectors (job creation, economic growth, export potential): Construction, Mining & Quarrying, Manufacturing, Tourism & Recreation, Transportation; A “mind-set change” is critical for improved productivity – “need to do more” Sector skills councils to enhance demand-led competency-based skills development. Particularly, councils will help critically assess skills gaps. Funding: Cost-sharing principles should be adopted A definite set of standards across all stages of skills development is essential

Proposed key Strategic Interventions for Self Reliance Short-term Training for unskilled work force for self reliance Intervention 2 : National Apprenticeship Program A robust program targeting all stakeholders Attaching unskilled youth to learn hands-on technical expertise Facilitate youth to begin their own small enterprises Should be implemented at the sectoral level Mobilization of all stakeholders (especially private sector) is critical

Intervention 3 : Incubation and Innovation Centers for Self Reliance Proposed key Strategic Interventions for Self Reliance Short-term Training for unskilled work force for self reliance Intervention 3 : Incubation and Innovation Centers for Self Reliance Create linkages between academia, and the public and private sectors Centre of excellence for priority sectors Centre should provide: Incubation Innovation Research & Development Continually assess situation to inform policy

Proposed key Strategic Interventions for Self Reliance Short-term Training for unskilled work force for self reliance Intervention 4 : National Employment Agency A central unit to coordination of all employment initiatives and programs Promotion of programs and interventions Monitoring and evaluation of employment programs and initiatives Design informed and dynamic interventions