In line with the Project on Skills Training and Job Obtainment Support for Social Participation of Ex-Combatants and Other People with Disabilities (ECOPD), the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) in Collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Council of persons with Disabilities (NCPD) are conducting the screening of skills training to select candidates who will follow a 6 months vocational training which is scheduled to start in May 2013. The screening takes place from April 29, 2013 to May 6, 2013 in 5 Vocational training centers such as VTC Rwabuye, VTC Nyanza, ETEFOP Musanze, VTC Gisenyi and VTC Rubengera.
Speaking at the occasion, Emmanuel MURERA, the NCPD Training and Skills Development Officer said that it is a good occasion to build capacities of persons with disabilities through vocational trainings for the social economic change and striving for self-reliance within persons with disabilities. Skills training of short time with more practices supported by starter kits will improve and result lives transformation. It is in this framework that after the training, participants will get a self-employment, most of them become Entrepreneurs.
At Rwabuye VTC, where the screening began, 363 Persons with disabilities responded to the invitation whereas only 60 places were available. This excessive attendance showed how much PWDs are thirsty to participate in their promotion unfortunately places is limited according to the capacity. Emmanuel Murera has pledged that NCPD in collaboration with other institutions and partners will continue to establish programs promoting and transforming lives of persons with disabilities for a safe sufficiency and sustainable development.
During the screening activities, each candidate is checked to see if he/she has never participated in such trainings and then a medical screening is done to assess his disability condition. The calculation and literacy test is done as well as trainees require the basic ability of reading, writing and calculation to skills training such as theory and practice. The committee members of screening discuss and decide the trainees and then, announce the result.
Depending on their choice and capability, 300 trainees who will be selected will follow one of the following vocational subjects: tailoring, masonry, electricity, knitting, welding, carpentry, auto-mechanic, plumbing or cooking.
Note that this is the 7th group and yet 2 225 persons have benefited from such opportunity.
Reported by NYIRABUGENIMANA Sylvie
Disability Friendly communication Officer/NCPD