Thirty trainees were awarded certificates, after completing a four-month course in mining by World Bank in Rwanda.
Through support from the Skills Development Fund (SDF), operating under Work force Development Authority (WDA), the ceremony that took place at the Wolfram Mine located in Rwinkwavu sector in Kayonza district, Eastern Province.
The training was conducted by Wolfram mining and processing limited that won the SDF grant of over Rwf50 million in the third round of grants provided through support of the World Bank.
Beneficiaries include 23 males and 7 females. After this first intake of 30 trainees who started in August 2014, Wolfram mining and processing limited will recruit a second intake.
The Minister of State in Charge of TVET Albert Nsengiyumva commended the private sector that has joined Government in empowering people with employable skills.
He also revealed that through collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources plans are under way to train more by establishing various training centers.
“This is the first kind of training in mining conducted in the country.”
The Mining sector in Rwanda has a total gap of 2,721 labour units in the short term. Out of these skills gaps, 89.9% are skilled Mining Artisans, 4.1% Managers, 2.8% Technicians, 1.4% Liberals and 1.8% Scientists.
These works in this sector, especially the 1,500 unskilled Artisans who are already operating need basic skills in mining, communication, Health and business to be more efficient and effective.
Kalima Malik representing Wolfram urged more youth to come for the second intake so as to cover the existing skills gaps.
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Emmanuel Nkurunziza commended this initiative by government and requested for another opportunity to acquire advanced skills that will enable them boost the mining industry.
The Ministry of Education through WDA has so far awarded grants worth over Rwf2 billion in three rounds to 70 winners in the last three years to support training in various skills.
About 5 thousand people have been trained in different vocational skills and around 470 are undergoing training.
Mining, is among new sectors that were considered in the third of the SDF grants together with Firefighting, Renewable energy, Mechanized Agriculture and Irrigation.