Figuring out the job market

A closer look at future-proof skills—and where to start. 

By Joshua Mukinisha

Lolita Icyeza and Ines Ihirwe, Ingazi learners, are now equipped with knowledge on harnessing the power of generative AI, changing the way they work, learn, and plan for their futures.

The job market isn’t just changing—it’s transforming unpredictably. One day, ‘digital skills’ are the future; the next, even degree holders struggle to find work. For young Rwandans, the path from education to employment feels less like a road and more like a maze with shifting walls 

There are no simple answers. But one thing is becoming clearer: having the right skills is paramount! Not just to land a job, but to stay in one, to grow in one, or even to create your own. 

So, what are those skills? And how do you build them without being overwhelmed by options, pressure, or uncertainty about what will matter in the future? 

What employers say they're looking for 

Talk to anyone who hires- whether in government, private sector, academia or even consultancy, and you’ll note some similarities in their responses. What keeps coming up? Employers value people who adapt, solve problems on the fly, and communicate clearly—especially when things go wrong. 

You'll hear terms like 'soft skills' or '21st-century competencies'... but strip away the jargon, and they're just timeless human strengths: 

• Can you learn quickly?

• Can you explain ideas clearly?

• Can you take initiative without waiting for instructions?

• Can you collaborate with people different from you? 

Digital fluency is part of this too. Not in the sense of becoming an engineer or coder overnight but being able to leverage technology with confidence. Navigating Google Workspace, analyzing data, creating a basic website, understanding how AI influences what you see online; these are now basic literacy skills.  

But how does this play out in real life? Here’s what two learners we recently spoke with discovered. After completing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning pathway on Ingazi, they had an entirely different outlook on AI and how it applies to their daily lives.  

Ines, a software engineering student, said: 

“I was surprised to learn that AI is already part of things I use every day, like YouTube recommendations and voice assistants. I also really enjoyed learning how machine learning models ‘learn’ from data—it’s like teaching a robot how to think.” 

Ines Ihirwe, a software engineering student at AUCA, dreams of becoming a doctor. Her love for science and learning led her to take the AI course on Ingazi, where she learned that AI isn’t science fiction and is already in her life.

She admitted it was tough at first, especially when it came to understanding algorithms. But she stuck with it, asked questions, and got support from facilitators. “It was amazing,” she said. “The lessons were fun. The platform was easy. And I felt like I was part of a community.” 

Lolita, who studies Entrepreneurial Leadership at the African Leadership University, said she took the course because she didn’t want to be left behind. 

“Tech used to scare me. But now I realize AI is already part of our daily lives—from translation apps to online shopping. What I loved most was how the course used everyday examples to make it relatable.” 

For both of them, learning AI was about becoming more confident in a world where tech is already shaping decisions, careers, and futures. That’s why Ingazi’s most popular courses focus on these critical skills. You can learn how to create your own business, how to use digital tools, or how to apply AI in real life, even if you have no clue what coding means. 

Lolita Icyeza, a student at the African Leadership University, discovered how AI learns from data and mimics how our brains recognize patterns, from Ingazi's AI learning pathway.

Start with what you have 

There’s a misconception that you need to be “ready” before you start learning something new; that you need a laptop, perfect mastery of English, or high grades to qualify. But in reality, many people start with curiosity, and that’s enough. You can take courses on your phone. You can go back and rewatch lessons. You can ask questions and get answers in a language that makes sense. 

Ingazi was built to be accessible. And that matters, especially for youth outside major cities. Whether you’re taking the Microsoft digital literacy pathway, exploring human resources, or curious about AI, the platform is designed to meet you where you are. 

What you learn might not be what you expected 

The most useful thing you take from a course isn’t a certificate despite this being the popular opinion. It’s the confidence to ask questions. Or the clarity to see where your interests are starting to form. Or even the realization that you can teach yourself new things, which is a skill that will serve you as you progress in your career.  

One learner described wanting to create an AI tutor that helps students learn in Kinyarwanda. Another imagined a tool that helps youth discover their career path—something that Ingazi is already working on. These aren’t dreams for “later.” They’re the kind of ideas that grow from exposure, effort, and guidance. 

The way forward 

Real growth rarely follows a straight path. Your skilling journey might begin quietly - with a single course that sparks curiosity, a lesson that stays with you, or tools that suddenly make your work easier. Some weeks you'll find time in the quiet morning hours; other weeks, it might be late evenings after a long day. The rhythm doesn't matter as much as simply beginning 

The best part? You don’t need to have it all figured out. Start small. Sign up on Ingazi, pick one course, and dedicate a few minutes each day to your growth.  

That’s all it takes to begin and that’s how skills grow; patiently, gradually, and intentionally. 

The only question left: When will you start?