Upskilling courses and one-on-one coaching for disadvantaged groups
To create inclusive employment opportunities and to equip people with a low level of education, rural women and youth with the necessary skills to successfully run businesses in the construction sector, Invest for Jobs supported EarthEnable – also locally known as Tube Heza – from December 2021 until June 2024. The Rwandan construction company specialises in affordable and organic housing solutions, including sealed earthen floors and wall plastering. Through their franchisees – entrepreneurial masons, who in turn often hire additional helpers – they market and install their products in rural communities throughout Rwanda.
As part of a joint project with Invest for Jobs, EarthEnable provided trainings targeting unemployed people with a low level of education, women and youths, and offered coaching to new and existing franchisees of EarthEnable. The aim of the collaboration was to create new jobs in the construction sector, create role models for disadvantaged groups, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable rural development.
In two-month-long training courses, participants were taught technical skills for construction, business management and other soft skills. The content was specifically tailored to the individual needs of the targeted demographics. Hence, in addition to practical skills, the training content additionally emphasised language, literacy, and numeracy, as well as practical work-readiness skills to improve employability. Female-only training programmes offered a safe space and addressed gender-specific barriers in the construction sector.
Training participants and aspiring masons. © Elie Ndashimy Peter Lee
Following the training programmes, EarthEnable provided sixteen months of targeted one-on-one coaching to all graduates and to existing franchisees of EarthEnable. The aim was to consolidate skills and improve productivity along with income. Finally, the company provided certification to participants who have achieved a high level of competence in construction, sales, and effective small business management. New and existing franchisees trained under the initiative are contributing to rural development with affordable and sustainable housing solutions.
