QMS Workshop Strengthens Quality in Don Bosco Vocational Training Institutions

From 16 to 20 March 2026, a five-day workshop on the Quality Management System (QMS) brought together vocational education professionals at the Don Bosco Hospitality Centre. The training was organized by the Planning and Development Office in collaboration with Don Bosco Tech Africa as part of ongoing efforts to improve the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in institutions run by the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The workshop aimed to introduce participants to the principles of the Quality Management System and strengthen its practical application within vocational training institutions. By focusing on quality standards and institutional management, the initiative sought to support training centres in delivering more effective and reliable vocational education.

Throughout the five-day program, participants explored key areas essential for improving training quality. Sessions covered an introduction to the Quality Management System, strategies for applying QMS within vocational training institutions, strengthening management and training structures, and aligning vocational education practices with national TVET standards as well as Don Bosco quality guidelines.

Participants from various Don Bosco vocational training centres and other institutions actively engaged in group discussions, collaborative work, and practical exercises designed to help them understand how quality management systems can be integrated into everyday institutional practices.

The training was facilitated by vocational education experts who emphasized practical learning and active participation. According to René David Nsabimana, a TVET specialist who facilitated the sessions, the primary goal was to ensure that participants clearly understand the concept of QMS, its components, and how it can be effectively implemented in vocational training institutions.

To achieve this, facilitators used adult learning methodologies, including group discussions, real-life examples drawn from participants’ work environments, and recap sessions to reinforce key concepts. These approaches enabled participants to examine how quality management can be implemented across all levels of an institution from leadership and administration to classroom instruction and training delivery.

During the workshop, Dominic Uwarugira, who coordinated the training sessions, explained that the Quality Management System plays an important role in strengthening vocational education. By adopting QMS principles, trainers and administrators can improve teaching quality, reinforce institutional management systems, and ensure that training programs meet recognized quality standards.

He emphasized that effective quality management requires commitment from both leadership and staff, ensuring that institutions maintain consistent standards in training delivery and administration.

Participants expressed appreciation for the knowledge and skills gained during the workshop. Denyise Uwineza, one of the trainees, noted that the training would help her and her colleagues enhance the quality of education provided in Don Bosco vocational schools.

She also thanked the Salesians of Don Bosco for continuously organizing professional development opportunities that enable teachers and trainers to strengthen their capacity and improve the quality of vocational training offered to young people.

The QMS workshop forms part of broader initiatives aimed at strengthening quality management practices across vocational training institutions. By adopting structured quality standards and management systems, Don Bosco and partner institutions seek to enhance the effectiveness of vocational education and improve learning outcomes for trainees.

As vocational education continues to play a critical role in preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship, initiatives such as this training workshop represent an important step toward building stronger, more accountable, and high-quality training institutions across the region.