Don Bosco Gatenga TSS Engages Stakeholders to Enhance Internship Opportunities for Students

Gatenga, Rwanda—In a proactive effort to improve the internship experience for its students, Don Bosco Gatenga Technical Secondary School (TSS) has on Saturday, December 7, 2024 held consultation meeting with key stakeholders, including industry partners and internship providers.

The meeting was organized through the Job Service Office at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS through the Gender Matters for Green TVET project funded by the Austrian Development Agency together with the Jugend Eine Welt.

Opened by Mr. Kabeho Fabien, the Dean ofStudies at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS, these discussions aimed to address the challenges faced by interns and foster collaboration among educational institutions and industries.

Mr. Kabeho highlighted a significant increase in student enrollment, noting that the Don Bosco Gatenga TSS has grown from 400 to 555 students within a year. This surge has placed greater emphasis on the necessity of effective partnerships with organizations able to offer internships and job opportunities.

Mr. Dominique Uwarugira, the Coordinator of the Job Service Offices (JSO) in Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, outlined the vital role such partnerships play in paving the path from education to employment.

“Students at Salesian TSSs often come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” Uwarugira remarked. “It is imperative that our partners assist in providing these youth with meaningful internship experiences that can shape their futures.”

The JSO, which operates across Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, aims to bridge the gap between academic training and the employment market, ensuring a smooth transition for students entering the workforce.

The meeting also addressed concerns related to gender safety, with Ms. Uzamureba Clementine, Gender Officer at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS, urging stakeholders to prioritize the safety of female interns.

Reports of harassment during internships have raised alarms, prompting calls for heightened awareness and protective measures for young women entering the workforce.

Feedback from industry representatives shed light on the quality of education received by students, with the General Manager of Olympique Hotel emphasizing the necessity of aligning educational objectives with career aspirations.

He encouraged educational leaders to instill a sense of value and understanding in students regarding their chosen fields before embarking on internships.

The discussion also touched on practical challenges such as the lack of caution fees—money paid by interns to ensure that students are diligent during their internships—and the need for thorough communication regarding the nature of internships.

Mr. Kabeho expressed concern over interns being assigned tasks unrelated to their studies, urging stakeholders to ensure that students receive relevant training that matches their educational background.

Participants also recognized the importance of extended internship periods to allow students adequate time to practice and hone their professional skills.

Suggestions were made to motivate students to embrace their internship experiences positively, including establishing savings systems to help them manage their finances while gaining hands-on experience.

As the meeting concluded, all parties committed to ongoing collaboration aimed at empowering youth through skill development and career readiness.

The drive to strengthen the relationship between educational institutions and industry partners promises to enhance the future prospects of Don Bosco Gatenga TSS students, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive job market.