Zantchito Skills for Jobs Program launched to Foster Entrepreneurship Skills
Minister of Labour, Agness Nyalonje, says the just launched Zancthito programme, will go a long way in improving Malawi’s productivity through innovation and entrepreneurship.
She said this on Tuesday, at Lilongwe Technical College, where she presided over the project’s launch, alongside the Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe.
According to NyaLonje, the project will assist Malawi achieve enhanced business development and job growth, aligned to Malawi 2063, through its special attention on enabler five on Human Capital Development, with special attention to women’s needs.
“Our productivity as a nation will determine whether or not we will succeed in our MW2063 agenda hence the Zantchito Programme will help boost the job creation strategy which my Ministry is currently revising to achieve our Malawi 2063 aspirations,” She said.
The Minister said the project will also help enhance skills and the ability to utilize, adopt and adapt new technologies to our local needs, which will in turn assist Malawi increase her labour productivity, saying the country’s productivity was $2.38 per man hour, according to 2021 International Labour Organization Statistics (ILOSTAT),
In his remarks European Union Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, said the project will empower small and medium enterprises (SME’s) with in the country, saying 89% of these are operating informally and lacks skills and adequate financial services for growth.
“These SME’s account for 24% of employment but more can be achieved with this program which will among other things, foster entrepreneur culture away from the formal white collar jobs,” he said.
The EU funded Zantchito-Skills for Jobs programme, aims at creating an ecosystem of job creators , as opposed to job seekers by addressing Malawi economy need for skilled professionals and providing decent jobs and self-employment opportunities for young TEVET graduates , university graduates, and entrepreneurs with special attention to women’s needs.
