Rwanda TVET Board and Rwanda Polytechnic with the support of the European Union launched the ‘Ubukerarugendo Imbere’ project aimed at promoting and improving labour market-oriented training in the tourism and hospitality sector in Rwanda 

The 4-year project was officially launched by the Minister of Education, Dr Uwamariya Valentine and the Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Rwanda, Ambassador Nicola Bellomo on 29th September 2021 at Gacuriro TVET School.

"My gratitude goes to the European Union for supporting our country in different sectors, with ‘Ubukerarugendo Imbere’ Project, our Youth will be equipped with tourism &hospitality skills & this will lead to employment in the socio-economic development." Said Dr Uwamariya during the Launch.

Ambassador Bellomo said that the ‘Ubukerarugendo Imbere’ project is another demonstration of how the EU supports Rwandan youth to acquire skills and find jobs & the private sector, to improve its hospitality offer & make its tourism products more attractive.

The Director-General of Rwanda TVET Board, Dipl. -Ing Paul Umukunzi, said that this project will not only support the youth by improving the market-oriented skills in the Tourism and Hospitality sector but also 7 TVET schools will be capacitated with Production units, and this will improve the schools' financial sustainability.

“I'm still convinced that TVET is the most effective way to fight against poverty, therefore a joined effort is needed to achieve our goal. Today the GoR in collaboration with different stakeholders has made a tremendous effort to build more TVET schools in Rwanda. This is something we are proud of, but the journey is still long as we improve the quality of our training delivery and engagement of the private sector. This Ubukerarugendo Imbere project comes at the right time.”

The ‘Ubukerarugendo Imbere’ project funded by the EU with a 4.8M Euro grant will focus on forging a dynamic connection between TVET schools and the Tourism and Hospitality industry in Rwanda. 

It will be implemented by the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) in collaboration with Rwanda Polytechnic (RP), Rwanda’s Tourism Chamber and several other players in the TVET structure in Rwanda.