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

2. 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?

3. 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 yrs (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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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