VOCATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING CRITICAL FOR MALAWI’S SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Minister of Labour, Honourable Agnes NyaLonje, has underscored the importance of technical and vocational skills for the socio economic development of the country.
She made the sentiments when she presided over the graduation ceremony of 478 youths from Nkhoma and Chigodi in Lilongwe District.
World Vision International Malawi sponsored the training where the youths have acquired knowledge and skills in the trades of bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, electrical and solar installation, welding and fabrication, tailoring and fashion design, home gadget repair and motor cycle mechanics.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony which took place at William Murray Secondary School ground in Nkhoma, the Minister said technical education remains government's high priority citing Malawi Vision 2063 commitment to expanding skills development opportunities to meet the needs of Malawi’s youth and the demands of industry.
“As government, we are currently engaging in projects with multiple partners to further expand skills development and entrepreneurship opportunities for our youth,” said NyaLonje.
World Vision Malawi Acting National Director, Charles Chimombo, said the program is aimed at addressing unemployment through entrepreneurship and skills development.
“Unemployment especially for youths is a biggest challenge and one way of empowering them is through the provision of technical and vocational skills. As we are doing this, we are also in a way ensuring that every child is able to live a life in its fullness, a thing as an organisation we strive so hard to achieve,” he said.
According to Chimombo, the organisation has trained 4636 youths in vocational skills since 2020 and aims at reaching out to 20,000 youths in the near future.
In his remarks, TEVETA's Director of Quality Assurance, Patrick Mputeni, reaffirmed the organisation commitment in ensuring maintenance of quality of standards in the Tevet sector.
The 478 youths were identified by the CCAP Nkhoma Synod Youth Department and have been trained by Sanweka and Bowe Vocational Skills Centres.
