Dual Apprenticeship System
The Dual Apprenticeship System constitutes one of the key success factors of the German economy.
Core element of the Dual Apprenticeship System is the combination of practical training in companies (training on the job), and theoretical, yet practice-oriented lessons in vocational schools. The training master plan determining the practical trainings and the curriculum governing the lessons in the vocational school are harmonized, hence the trainees acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills in one particular field or subject in a company and in-class alike.
Rwanda
The Dual Apprenticeship System is a combination of workplace learning and supplementary vocational instruction. Its competence-based curriculum covers learnings from several microfinance institution (MFI)/SACCO departments: Cashiering, loans, finance and accounting, marketing and internal audit. The objectives of the 12-month professional training program are to develop practical working skills and employability skills of young adults, close existing skill gaps within the sector and to reduce youth unemployment to ultimately enhance professionalism within the institutions and improve the microfinance sector performance.
The Dual Apprenticeship System strongly focuses on practical training and skills application: all apprentices spend one day per week at the training academy (20% of the overall training period) and immediately apply their learnings in their respective MFIs/SACCOs during the rest of the week (80% of the overall training period). In Rwanda, the Dual Apprenticeship System in the microfinance sector officially started in 2017, and is currently implemented by the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR), the Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM), Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and through the support of German Sparkassenstiftung Eastern Africa (DSIK). These organizations collaborate to enhance professionalism within microfinance institutions and strengthen overall sector performance through structured and applied learning.
The program is now officially known as the Certified Microfinance Professional (CMP) Level 1. Building on its success, a CMP Level 2 program was introduced in 2023, targeting CMP Level 1 graduates and experienced microfinance professionals in managerial roles. CMP Level 2 is delivered through a weekend training format over 12 months and features a competence-based curriculum covering both managerial and strategic modules relevant to MFIs and SACCOs.
Since its inception in 2017, five cohorts have successfully graduated from the CMP Level 1 program. Since the introduction of CMP Level 2 in 2023, two cohorts have also graduated from the advanced training program.
Uganda
Inspired by the renowned success of Germany's Dual Apprenticeship System, DSIK introduced the Microfinance Apprenticeship Programme (MAP) to the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS). MAP offers a unique and effective pathway to a rewarding career in the microfinance sector in Uganda. This innovative program combines hands-on practical training within leading Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) with focused, practice-oriented theoretical instruction at UIBFS. The core strength of the dual training system lies in its seamless integration of theory and practice.
The program offers a wide range of benefits including practical skills development, industry-relevant training, comprehensive competency building, real-world job exposure, and enhanced employability. Since its inception in 2021,MAP has reached significant milestones, successfully training and graduating over 139 apprentices across eight cohorts. Through partnerships with 48 financial institutions, apprentices have gained valuable practical experience in the field. The program continues to be run by UIBFS.
