Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) has strengthened its collaboration with the private sector through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four industry associations, reinforcing efforts to align Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with labour market needs and expand workplace learning opportunities for trainees.

The agreements were signed with the Rwanda Garage Association, Rwanda Wood Value Chain Association, Rwanda Tailors Association, and Rwanda Hospitality Association. They establish a framework for collaboration in Dual TVET, workplace placements, internships, apprenticeships, industrial attachments, and other structured workplace learning opportunities. The partnership will also support capacity-building for workplace mentors and in-company instructors to enhance the quality of practical training.

Beyond workplace learning, the MoUs provide for stronger industry participation in the development and review of occupational standards and curricula, training delivery, assessment, and quality assurance. This collaboration will help ensure that TVET programmes remain responsive to current and emerging industry requirements, equipping trainees with relevant skills and competencies for employment and productivity.

In his remarks, RTB Director General, Eng Paul UMUKUNZI expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the four associations for their valuable contribution to skills development, youth employment, and the continued advancement of Rwanda’s TVET sector. He underscored the importance of industry engagement in strengthening the link between training and the workplace.

Representatives of the associations welcomed the agreements, highlighting their significance in establishing a more structured phase of collaboration between RTB and industry. They recognised the potential of the partnership to strengthen practical training, improve skills relevance, and create more opportunities for trainees to gain hands-on experience in real work environments.

Together, the four associations provide access to more than 1,680 businesses, in addition to approximately 1,500 individual tailors, representing a substantial private-sector network with significant potential to support skills development across Rwanda. Through this network, the partnership can help expand access to workplace learning, strengthen engagement between training institutions and employers, and facilitate the transition of graduates into the labour market.

The signing of the MoUs marks another step in RTB’s efforts to strengthen public-private collaboration and advance a demand-driven TVET system. By bringing industry closer to training, the partnership aims to develop a skilled workforce that responds to the needs of businesses while contributing to youth employment, enterprise growth, and Rwanda’s broader economic transformation.