Workers at the Big Mining Company Limited mine, located in Byimana Sector, Ruhango District, Southern Province of Rwanda, are celebrating the opportunity they have been given through the Recognition of Prior Learning Program which has led to tangible skills, and professional certifications for their work.
This program is implemented by the Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) in partnership with the Rwanda TVET Board, the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), and mining companies. It is also supported by the Ministry of Public Service and Labour in Rwanda.
Sindikubwabo Fidèle is one of the employees who appreciates this program. He says that in the short time he has participated, he has gained knowledge that has helped him perform his job better and more professionally. He said: “I can attest that this program increased my knowledge in a short time, and I am doing things much better than before.” He further explains that the knowledge he has gained allows him to perform well wherever he is assigned to work, like someone who had studied mining-related courses beforehand.
Harerimana Jean Bosco also highlights that the certification he received has been a catalyst for him to increase his efforts at work. He says that knowing he has a certificate that confirms his skills makes him work with more confidence. He stated: “This has made me see that the work I do is valuable, and the output of my work is evident.”
Uwizeyimana Devotha also affirms that learning on the job has helped her gain confidence and work with the assurance of self-development. She said: “Before, I was living in the village, not knowing that mining could help someone escape poverty. When I got involved in this activity, I was trained, gained knowledge, and was given a certificate.” Devotha also strongly encouraged women and girls to be bold and engage in work that develops them, rather than thinking that certain jobs are reserved only for men.
The Operations Manager at Big Mining Company Limited, Mucyo Muhire Ange Serge, says that this on-the-job learning program has been essential in raising the standards of mining in their quarry. He explained that the program was implemented after the Ministry of Public Service and Labour approved that the mining sector should participate in the program of providing workers with knowledge and certifications through on-the-job learning.
He said: “This program has solved many existing problems, including those related to the employees’ skills. We are delighted that the Ministry of Public Service and Labour recognized that mining is also a profession that deserves attention, especially since it is one of the sectors that brings in a lot of foreign exchange for the country.” He further emphasized the need for cooperation among different institutions to continue promoting such initiatives.
On the other hand, the Director General of the Rwanda TVET Board, Eng. Paul Umukunzi, points out that the program to certify individuals with knowledge gained through work has opened doors for many people. He said: “This program is a solution for workers who we found had practical skills but lacked a certificate to prove it. Now, the certificate they receive makes investors and employers trust them wherever they go.” He added that this program is also being implemented in other diverse professions so that more people can acquire practical skills and credentials that validate them in the labour market.
A program like this plays a significant role in promoting vocational skills among the youth and reducing the issue of unemployment, as it helps people gain tangible skills that enable them to enter the job market and develop themselves.
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