On 22nd July, 2022, the Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU), in close collaboration with the Rwanda TVET Board and Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and gas Board has organized a special training for mine Engineers who will conduct the skills assessment in the Mining Sector in order to recognize those skills and to identify the skills gap that will be filled through the Prior Learning program.

The goal of the Prior Learning Program is to ensure the formalization of mining employment from informal employment. At least 200 miners are targeted to be assessed for their prior learning.

Rwanda is looking to reach an output of $1.5 billion by 2024 from mining industry. For this to happen, answers must be found to the many problems in the mining sector including tackling the issue of employment formalization from informal to form mine workers.

According to Eng. Mutsindashyaka Andre, the Secretary General of Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU), one of the steps to tackle the issue of skills gap is to assess the current situation and identify clear solutions that will empower those who are working in the Mining Industry with less mining education Background.

Mining sector presents many jobs opportunities. It is a time to formalize its employment at working place by having mine workers certified with employment contract, assured in RSSB for pension and professional illness, paid through bank account as well as ensuring occupation safety and health are promoted at working place, among others.

Eng. Mutsindashyaka pointed out that the training for assessors aims to show the guidelines and parameters to be followed while assessing  employee with less education in mining sector or others whose are skilled in other sectors of the same industry.

Through Prior Learning Program, the beneficiary employees will be able to get certificates of recognition of prior learning which will help them also to be competitive on the mining labor markets.