proWOOD aims to improve the competencies of skilled workers in design, production and assembly in the wood processing sector according to international standards in Rwanda. Small and medium sized companies should bebefit directly from technology transfer and innovations in the value-added wood sector. In this way, proWOOD contributes to the development of a modern wood cluster in the Western Province of Rwanda by supporting employment, economic groth and climate protection.The program activities primarily focus on the Western Province with networking activities in other regions and promotes a public-private partnership approach in training, including public training providers, trade unions, business associations and companies in the wood sector

proWOOD contributes to the establishment of modern training opportunities, further education courses and wood sector promotion activities provided by it´s national project partners IPRC KITabi, Rubengera Technical Campus (RTC) and Rwanda Wood Value Chain Association (RWVCA) supported by it´s German counterparts University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Federal Training Centre for Carpentry (BuBiZa) and FingerHaus GmbH.

Based on the joint planning workshop results, partners and stakeholder have agreed in March 2022 on the following 3 areas of intervention and related activities to be implemented between April 2022 and November 2024:

Digital wood crafts

Wood engineering & carpentry plus

Wood sector promotion

Digital wood crafts activities

• Baseline study for application, use and needs of digital formats in the sector
• CNC operator training program (int. accredited)
• Applied ToT in digital training methodology for TVET trainers in cartpentry/ wood-technology
• Adaption and development of e-learning courses, sessions and program

Wood engineering & carpentry plus

In close collaboration with occupational providers (companies, ICPC´s, etc.) and support of key stakeholders (RWVCA, Districts, ...) innovatiove trainings are implemented at the participating institutions in various formats with direct practical relevance.

• Short- term instructor courses in carpentry and wood-technology (int. accredited)
• Implement and monitor innovative training modules oriented to RTQF L3-5 at RTC
• Implement and monitor innovative training modules oriented to RTQF L6-7 at IPRC KItabi
• Taylormade, demand oriented further trainings
• Coaching of participants during the transition to the labor market

Wood sector promotion

Rwandan MSME´s in the value-added industry have been supported to develop and implement (high-value) marketable products and process innovations adapted to the local market with the support of project partners

• Set up and organize regularly network meetings of companies and partners in Western Province: Carpenter´s round table
• Initiate PR activities to promote awareness raising, quality products, attending exhibitions and fairs with innovative products
• Set up and implement an advisory program with special focus on inclusion, especially women promotion
• Network, fair, workshops and competition: Western Province UMUBAJI (carpenters) Days 2023 & 2024