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Dipl. Ir. Paul Umukunzi, DG of Rwanda TVET Board, engages the audience during a panel discussion on aligning education with labor market needs, alongside fellow panelists at the 3rd International Conference on Reshaping Education for Sustainable Development.

At the 3rd International Conference on Reshaping Education for Sustainable Development, held under the theme “Empowering Educators to Prepare Students for the Complex Challenges of Tomorrow,” the Director General of the Rwanda TVET Board, Dipl. Ir. Paul Umukunzi, delivered a powerful message on the critical role of collaboration between TVET, higher education institutions, and the private sector in preparing youth for evolving labor market needs.

Speaking during a panel on “What Roles do TVET, Higher Education Institutions, and Private Sector Partnerships Play in Aligning Career Pathways with Economic Trends ?”, Umukunzi emphasized that Rwanda—and Africa as a whole—must break away from the outdated view that vocational training is a secondary or inferior path. “Historically, TVET was considered a last resort for those who were not academically gifted,” he noted. “We were told to study hard, go to a university, get a white-collar job, and live a decent life. But the world has changed.”

He argued that today’s labor market demands practical, technical skills that enable young people not only to seek jobs but to create them. “Now we encourage young people to work with their hands, to build, to innovate. It’s not just about getting a job anymore—it’s also about becoming an entrepreneur who can make money work for them,” Umukunzi said. The TVET Board chief stressed that aligning education with economic realities starts with strong, intentional collaboration between academia and industry. “The private sector must be at the center of defining what we teach, how we teach, and how we prepare learners for the world of work,” he said. “We must not produce graduates who walk out with degrees that have no relevance to the labor market.”

Group photo of participants at the 3rd International Conference on Reshaping Education for Sustainable Development, held from 14–16 May 2025 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village.

On policy reforms, Umukunzi called for three strategic actions : first, integrating talent detection and career guidance into national policy from the earliest stages of education ; second, fostering seamless collaboration across all education levels to enable vertical and horizontal mobility ; and third, rethinking the teaching profession itself. “We need professionals teaching what they live,” he asserted. “If you teach entrepreneurship, you should be a practicing entrepreneur. If you teach software development, you should be a developer. That’s how we ensure real career guidance—by example, by mentoring, and by relevance.”

Prof. Florien Nsanganwimana, Acting Principal of UR-CE, joined by fellow college managers, congratulates Dipl. Ir. Paul Umukunzi and other panelists with tokens of appreciation following their insightful discussion.

His remarks sparked robust discussion among participants, reinforcing the urgency to bridge the longstanding divide between education systems and market demands. The conference brought together education leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, all committed to transforming education for sustainable development across Africa.

Story by

NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer
UR-College of Education