Kigali job hunters need to change attitude

The government and KESC officials believe that embracing entrepreneurship will significantly reduce these figures since most businesses started employ more than one person.

The plans are guided by the country’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2I) which looks on the private sector to create the much needed jobs. It is all part of the country’s seven-year government programme for national transformation.

The KESC facilitates job-seekers to explore job opportunities and ease access to labour market information. Its methods are designed to sharpen the skills of potential and up-and-coming young entrepreneurs. It counsels and equips graduates and other Rwandans with skills to start their own businesses, which creates jobs for them, and other young people.

As part of this year’s Labour Day celebrations, for example, KESC conducted a special training programme for graduates to sharpen their skills in entrepreneurship and guidance on areas in which they can start business.

Youth embrace their passion

Tuyisenge agrees with Niyonsaban that young people need to change their attitude away corporate and government jobs which are scarce and become creative and look at self-employment as an alternative. He says entrepreneurship will easily provide jobs for the enterprise owners and those they employ. He also wants KESC to target higher enroll of young people to increase its reach and impact.

Aline Umutoni, the KESC job counselor, says the centre is encouraging unemployed graduates and interested corporates to exploit the immense potential in vocational training courses.

Umutoni says that the centre has already mentored and supported young graduates interested in the fashion and design sector to do tailoring courses, while others have joined have trained in catering, welding, motor vehicle mechanics, and air conditioning and refrigeration skills. They also help job-seekers to get opportunities, especially in the areas in which they are passionate about, but are not qualified in.

“For instance, if you like to cook at home when your family has visitors, then why not try it out as a vocation since you are passionate about it. The drive to impress visitors with your cooking shows your hidden interest; explore and turn it into a big business venture,” Umutoni advises.