Access to International Partnerships in IT (AIPI) is a partnership project between the Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand e.V. (BITMi) and the ICT Chamber in Rwanda. Our common goal is to strengthen the Rwandan as well as the German ICT sector and to enable co-operations at eye level.
Normally most fresh graduates dream to build their career through finding jobs from job creators, however because of much expectation and pressure of job hunting, they may find themselves falling behind in the search for opportunities and get disappointed. But guess what the sky is no longer the limit as you can be an international game changer in this new digital world.

Defining and deciding your career path

Many graduates think their first job will determine their future career path. But sometimes it changes because of the world work environment change, as a graduate knowing that you want to reach at a certain level, it is advisable to do your research, follow something that most suits your interests, experience and skills, choose an industry that you are enthusiastic about, in applications demonstrate your passion and knowledge for that particular path. It will help you to get the jobs you want and to build a long-term career.

Building an effective Curriculum Vitae (cv) and application letter for Job application

The best graduate cover letter examples are a direct and concise introduction to who you are. Your one page should also draw attention to the qualities and experience that make you perfect for the job – your CV should do the rest. Within your CV avoid repetition of your personal statement and make sure that all the different elements of a CV, like contact details and the personal statement, are in the correct place. An employer should not be scavenging through your CV trying to find your phone number.

How can you behave during a job interview?

During an interview, take the time to re-read your application and CV and identify what it is about you that makes you a great potential employee. Convince the employer and don’t focus on how the job will benefit you, Instead focus on why you’re perfect for the job. Employers want to know how you will be an asset to the company. Here are some tips on how to behave in an interview
with a detailed and visual presentation for your reference.

Discovering your potential in Global IT Markets and finding ICT jobs and ads

According to the Labour Force Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). In 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all economic activities had to be put on hold in Rwanda; this in turn led to an increase in unemployment rate from 16.0 percent to 20.3 percent. Apart from that, the closing of economic activities also affected start-up businesses that relied on being open in order to be able to obtain funding for crucial business operations, We have all heard the phrase that “there is opportunity in crises” and though COVID-19 bowled us over and hit us hard with people losing lives and livelihoods, this has been true for opportunity in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) space.

In finding ways to address these negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, IT professionals have been in high demand worldwide with most companies and many online platforms for graduates and professionals such as http://www.upwork.com Upwork connects businesses with freelancers, independent talents, and agencies around the globe. Where companies and freelancers interact and conduct businesses/projects with each other online..

Rwanda ICT Chamber in partnership with BITMi have set up a program called

“Tech upskill program”

that supports and focuses on potential talents, innovations in technology from university students, fresh university graduates from outside Kigali & Engineering related fields covering both software development as well as hardware innovations that could utilize 4th Industrial Technologies like computer aided design and manufacturing ( CAD/CAM) . The project will be implemented by 250 startups, kLab and Fablab hubs selected as consortiums during this program.

AIPI bietet eine Plattform für Absolventinnen und Absolventen, die sich über verschiedene Aktivitäten – wie die landesweite Talentsuche für kreative Projekte, Praktika oder Trainings – entfalten wollen. Durch „Tech-Upskill“, einer grenzübergreifenden IT-Talentsuche, erhalten Talente wertvolle Expansionshilfen und Schulungen, mit denen sie ihre Innovationen zum Leben erwecken können. Zudem können innovative Absolventen und Absolventinnen durch Fachpraktika in ruandischen und deutschen Unternehmen vielschichtige Berufserfahrung sammeln.

Tech up skill program will target The above selected consortium partners run other programs that fresh graduates can tap into such as kLab Freelancer program and Made in Rwanda Digital Fabrication Challenge (Fabmaker challenge). Those programs support Fresh University Graduates High School & University Students, Tech Skilled & unemployed, experienced professionals and Entrepreneurs .

Klab Freelancer Program aims to support professional tenants to get freelancing jobs, work experience which is paid for and financial sustainability as well as sharpening their professional skills. Some of the wide variety skills Klab provide: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Digital Marketing and Graphic design.

Made in Rwanda Digital Fabrication Challenge aim is to provide technical assistance through tailored support to upskill and create opportunities for innovators to turn their innovative ideas into products specifically in the hardware and electronics domain. Another intention of this challenge is to broker partnerships among key stakeholders to unlock opportunities for early-stage companies and individual entrepreneurs through technical assistance and peer mentoring. Thus, will create a vibrant business environment and increase the number of viable and investment-ready start-ups.

To stay up to date on discussed opportunities above, check the following links:

– Klab Freelancer Program: https://forms.gle/Ny8sF2DpfCZyJK9B8
– Tech Upskill program: https://techupskill.250.rw/

If you are interested to be a member or part of Klab and Fablab you can visit the website www.klab.rw und www.fablab.rw for more details.

– AIPI website : https://aipi.rw
– AIPI email : info@aipi.rw