Transitional Demobilization and
Reintegration Program
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Vocational Training in DDR
A Study on Sustainability and Efficacy of skills training in Rwanda DDR Program
History and Experience of Post-conflict Stabilization and Reintegration
Anthony Finn & Murat Onur
5-6 June, 2013
Tunis, Tunisia
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Transitional Demobilization and
Reintegration Program
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Vocational Training in DDR
What is the link between vocational training and excombatants’ socioeconomic reintegration and why
conduct this study?
Fact - Vocational Training as sub-component of DDR:
 Substantial amount spent in vocational training
 Evidence shows that chances of successful reintegration are higher if excombatants undertake formal vocational training.
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Transitional Demobilization and
Reintegration Program
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Vocational Training in DDR
Questions:
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How do we better understand the outcomes for ex-combatants from vocational
training and the factors affecting the sustainability of those outcomes?
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What are the direct and indirect outcomes of vocational training?
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What really works?
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How can we ensure sustainability and efficacy of training?
 The Rwandan field study: a starting point to consider these questions
from the standpoint (i) of the TDRP (TA in DDR) and (ii) of DDR design
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Rwanda Vocational Training Study
Methodology and Field Study
March 03 – 29, 2013
•
280 ex-combatants surveyed: 180 VT (VSW), 50
Apprenticeship (VSW) and 50 neither
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Northern Province (70), Southern Province (70)
and Kigali-area (140)
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Key informant interviews in Kigali, Musanze,
Nyanza and Huye with organizations and
individuals that possess a high level of
knowledge of the VT program and/or direct
involvement with the DDR Commission and DDR
in general in Rwanda
•
Vocational Training Centers, Rwanda DDR
Commission, Employers (construction, carpentry,
hospitality, mechanics) and Associations of Excombatants
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Rwanda DDR Vocational Training
Outcomes of Rwanda DDR Vocational Training:
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Successful at bringing the XCs to a parity with civilians, both economically and socially,
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Employers (primarily from the construction, private security sector) prefer excombatants with VT due to the high caliber of VT graduates and nationally recognized
and certified training,
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Enhanced self-confidence and independence among beneficiaries, along with a
widening of their perspectives beyond the military mindset,
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VT graduates use their training as a kick-start for income generation, which frequently
opened doors to other economic opportunities outside of their primary skill area and
social and economic networks,
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Other outcomes related to social capital, such as life skills, teamwork and social skills;
therefore an overall successful social reintegration.
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Rwanda Study - Main Findings
DDR Vocational Training in Rwanda has been successful due to:
• Institutional support to Vocational Training
• Quality of the Vocational Training Centers
• Standardized Curriculum
• Economic Growth and Stability
• Private Sector Demand:
“Someone who goes to vocational training is eager to harness the business environment,
eager to make use of the activity, to be innovative, and to learn about different issues.”
 A number of design factors and external factors influenced the outcomes
of DDR Vocational Training programming in Rwanda.
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Rwanda – Key Design Factors
DESIGN FACTORS
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Process and criteria for selecting beneficiaries
ensured that those who were both economically
vulnerable and well-suited for formal skills training
were the primary beneficiaries of VT
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Mandatory orientation offered information
counseling in choosing an appropriate skills area for
the majority of beneficiaries
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Mandatory literacy and numeracy evaluation and
training
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Business skills and entrepreneurship training
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Harmonization of curriculum and nationally
recognized certification
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Partnering with existing training centers and
institutions anchored the vocational training
program and helped reduce time and cost
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Rwanda – Key External Factors
EXTERNAL FACTORS
•
•
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Peace and stability allowed the state to focus on
developing a skilled workforce, including
vulnerable ex-combatants
Economic growth and stability produced a
demand-driven labor market
XCs’ profile characteristics: mature, goal-oriented
individuals; generally married, likely increasing
access to family networks and sources of informal
credit; and place a much higher value for skills
training over cash support.
“On average, XCs are more disciplined and hardworking. When
training the employees, we often tell the civilians to emulate
the XC workers because they take their jobs seriously.”
•
Mainstreaming VT primarily via the Workforce
Development Authority has elevated the status,
quality, resources and acceptance of Rwanda DDR
VT program
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Considerations for future DDR VT
Design-related Considerations
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Capacity building of national institutions in tandem with DDR can reinforce outcomes of VT by providing
critical social, educational and vocational infrastructure for long-term growth and development.
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Having up-to-date market knowledge: Regular labor market analysis will ensure that XCs receive skills
matching the current demand and tools that are appropriate for the market.
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Literacy and numeracy training: Mandatory literacy and numeracy evaluation and training for excombatants prior to VT can help maximize the impact of vocational training.
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Providing orientation including information counseling and sharing labor market data that allows the
trainee to make an informed decision as to which skill is the best choice.
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Providing support to trainees and their families during VT can help mitigate the difficulties faced
particularly by trainees with families.
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Post-training follow-up: with a view towards identifying and addressing challenges, offering information
counseling and advice, and ensuring the graduates have the resources and information they need can
increase sustainability of training.
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Flexible Training Schemes – a phased approach can help address problems related to follow-up, length of
training and XCs with families.
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Considerations for future DDR VT
External Considerations
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Peace and Security help foster economic activity and allow the conditions for social and
economic networks, employment opportunities to develop.
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Pathways to employment are wider when there is economic growth, stability, and a growing
private sector. XCs can find temporary jobs or employment opportunities in a variety of
sectors and are not limited to the area of training.
•
Existing capacity and ability of various government institutions to manage and eventually
absorb a DDR VT Program
•
Pathways to employment are also linked to community acceptance: XCs build socioeconomic
networks, grow and maintain business and access to social support when there is community
acceptance. Having awareness of the existing attitudes toward XCs (acceptance, prejudice,
rejection, social stigma, attitudes toward different groups, etc.) can inform DDR architects
about the type of support or follow-up activities (social skills training, activities involving the
community, psychological support, etc.) would be required in VT.
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Concluding Remarks
• The Rwandan context
• Multi-dimensional aspects of our understanding of vocational
training
• Pathways not dead-ends
• Vocational training and institution building
• Indirect/unanticipated results
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Thank you
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