2000 mine workers were accredited with Recognition of Prior Learning certificates in a graduation ceremony held at Kigali on 06 December 2023. The event was organized by Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) in collaboration with Rwanda Mines, gas and petroleum Board (RMB), Belgian development agency, Belgian-funded Decent Work and Social Protection program implemented by the Belgian development agency (Enabel), and other stakeholders.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of acknowledging the skills acquired in different informal contexts especially at workplace without considering how, when or where the learning occurred. It facilitates holders access to career progression on the labor market, jobs with fair wages and better working conditions.

Candidates were assessed by Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) under the support of Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU), employers of mining companies, in collaboration with Rwanda Mining, gas and petroleum Board RMB and the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA).

In his remarks, Laurent Pred’homme, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Belgium in Rwanda commended the Government of Rwanda and its partners for their commitment to promote decent work and social protection. “Access to jobs with fair wages and better working conditions is fundamental to living a dignified life” he said.

The Minister of Public Service and Labour, Prof Jeannette Bayisenge appreciated the collaboration between the government, development partners and stakeholders in  promoting the Mining sector “this will benefit both employees and employers, leading to increased productivity, improved country’s labor market and overall development” she said.

Under the existing partnership with REWU and  STECOMA (Syndicat des Travailleurs des Entreprises de Construction, Menuserie et Artisanat), Enabel’s Decent Work and Social Protection program plans to assess 5,000 workers in the mining and construction sectors with focus on women and youth in the mining and construction sectors in Kigali and the 5 districts along the Kivu belt, who acquired skills informally at the workplace, to be certified for the skills they possess.