On October 9, 2026, CEFOTRAR TVET School has awarded RTB vocational training certificates to 153 graduates, up from 20 at its previous graduation ceremony on February 4, 2026, as former students credit practical skills with helping them find jobs, earn income and support their families.
The graduates completed training in Hairdressing and Beauty, Tailoring and Fashion Design, Shoemaking, Carpentry, Welding, and Masonry and Construction. Their experiences highlight the role vocational education can play in helping young people gain practical skills and find opportunities in a competitive job market.
The school’s board chairman, Jean Bosco Harebamana, said the growing number of graduates reflects the influence of former students who have demonstrated the value of their training through their work.
Graduate Numbers Rise More Than Sevenfold
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Harebamana said 153 students had met the requirements to receive certificates, the number of graduates increased by 133 compared with the 20 reported at the previous ceremony. This represents more than a sevenfold increase in graduation numbers over the two ceremonies.
“The number is growing because the people who studied here show what they have learned through the work they do in different places. When people see the quality of their work and hear about their progress, they become interested in coming here to learn these skills too,” Harebamana said.
He encouraged the five students who did not qualify to return to their studies and work towards meeting the required standards.
Welding Training Opens a Door to Employment
For some graduates, learning a practical skill has provided a new direction after difficulties in the traditional education system.
Kwizera Bonheur, who studied welding, said he decided to take a one-year short course after struggling to progress in secondary school. He had repeated Senior Two and began looking for another way to build his future.
“I asked myself what I could do with my life. I decided to learn welding and joined a one-year short course. My advice to people who feel that school is no longer working for them is not to lose hope. They should look for a short course in a skill they enjoy and work hard to become good at it,” Bonheur said.
He thanked CEFOTRAR for the knowledge he gained and his parents for paying his school fees. He said he had found employment after completing his training.
Another graduate, Hategekimana Ignace, turned to welding after changes in technology made it harder for him to earn a living from artistic design.
Ignace had previously worked in sign-making, drawing and decorating clothes. However, he said machines had reduced the demand for some of these services, pushing him to add another skill to his experience.
“I decided that I needed another skill to add to the one I already had. I came to CEFOTRAR, registered for welding and completed my training. Today, I have a job, and I have seen that the decision was worth it,” Ignace said.
Ignace, who has a wife and three children, said balancing family responsibilities with training was not easy. However, he reported that he recovered the money he had paid for his training after one month of work.
Woman Welder Challenges Gender Stereotypes
Muraza Latifah, another welding graduate, is challenging the belief that welding is a job meant only for men.
Latifah said she completed Senior Six but later realized that she needed practical skills to improve her employment prospects. She decided to train in welding despite facing doubts from people who viewed the work as unsuitable for women.
“Some people discouraged me and asked whether I could really do it because welding is seen as a job for men. But I kept going. I want to tell every girl who wants to learn a practical skill: be brave, believe in yourself and work hard. You can achieve great things, even in a job that people think is only for men,” Latifah said.
She said the support of a person who encouraged her to join the school, together with help from her family and teachers, gave her the confidence to continue.
Latifah now works for a company involved in the mining sector. She said her income allows her to save money and help pay school fees for her younger siblings.
School Plans to Introduce Mechanics Course
As interest in vocational education grows, Chairman Harerimana Jean Bosco said CEFOTRAR plans to introduce a mechanics course next year following requests from parents.
The proposed course would add another option for students seeking practical training linked to employment opportunities.
Chairman Jean Bosco also urged graduates to continue developing their skills after receiving their certificates, saying that completing a course should be the beginning of further learning and professional growth.
“Do not treat your certificates as just pieces of paper. Show people the knowledge you gained here through the quality of your work. Be good ambassadors of this school. When you work, be honest with your customers, respect agreements and deliver what you promise,” he said.
A local official who attended the ceremony also urged graduates to maintain discipline and demonstrate the skills they had acquired. He praised the school and encouraged students to represent their institution and community positively in their workplaces.
Practical Training Combines Lessons and Workplace Experience
CEFOTRAR TVET School offers short-term, practice-oriented programs, primarily lasting one year at Level 1. Training combines classroom learning with hands-on industrial internships arranged through the school’s network of partner companies.
Its programs cover six main areas: Hairdressing and Beauty; Tailoring and Fashion Design; Shoemaking; Carpentry; Welding; and Masonry and Construction.
Graduates receive RTB certificates intended to recognize their competencies in their respective trades, preparing them to seek employment or start their own businesses.
However, Leaders say certificates alone do not guarantee employment. Graduates must continue improving their skills, meet employers’ needs and build trust through the quality of their work.
