Journal of Vocational Studies on Applied Research
2026: JVSAR, Volume 8 Issue 2 Year 2026 (October 2026) (Issue in Progress)

Skills Mismatch in Rwanda’s TVET: Factors and Workforce Development Impacts

Faustin Ndikubwimana (Curriculum and Instruction, School of Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan||China Department of General Courses, Rwanda Polytechnic, Kigali College, Kigali)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Oct 2026

Abstract

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is central to Rwanda’s strategy for workforce development. However, evidence from policy documents, peer-reviewed literature, and international reports indicates a persistent skills mismatch between what TVET graduates offer and what employers need. This study synthesizes secondary data from 39 sources using a qualitative document analysis. The analysis identifies nine contributing factors to skills mismatch in Rwanda’s TVET sector, including outdated curricula, weak industry-institution collaboration, insufficient trainer competence, technological and infrastructure gaps, shortage of work-based learning, poor labor market information systems, limited entrepreneurial and soft skills training, funding and policy constraints, and socio-cultural barriers. These mismatches result in graduate unemployment, reduced organizational productivity, and constrained national growth. Based on the evidence, the study recommends modernizing the curriculum, expanding work-based learning, enhancing trainer development, strengthening industry partnerships, and improving labor market data systems. Due to the lack of primary data, findings are exploratory and should be validated through future tracer studies and employer surveys.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jvsar

Publisher

Subject

Engineering

Description

Journal of Vocational Studies on Applied Research [e-ISSN 2684-8090] is an open access peer reviewed journal published by Vocational School Diponegoro University Semarang Central Java Indonesia. Journal of Vocational Studies on Applied Research is an Journal publishing academic and industrial topics ...