Government launches a US$15 Million grant scheme for expansion of TEVET institutions

Minister of Labour, Honourable Agnes NyaLonje, today launched the Competitive Grant Scheme, a subcomponent of the World Bank funded ‘Skills for a Vibrant Economy’ (SAVE) Project at Kasungu Community Skills Development Centre. NyaLonje applauded the World Bank for its support towards expansion of 5 Community Skills Development Centres, 5 Community Technical Colleges, and 5 Private Technical Colleges across the country.

Ministry of Labour is implementing the SAVE Project through the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA).

Each of the 15 winning institutions has, on average, received MK500 Million which will among other things, allow them to introduce new industry-demanded training programmes, procure modern training tools and equipment, develop technical teacher capacity through long and short term training and also introduce the Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) mode of training delivery, an innovation that will lead to increased access to TEVET through technology assisted learning.

The funds according to NyaLonje, shall also help the training institutions to expand their available training space and increase access to TEVET, particularly for females and youths with disabilities.

“The importance of expanding the training space cannot be over emphasized, as available training space in all Technical Colleges at all levels continue to be overwhelmed by fast-growing demand from aspiring entrants every year,” said NyaLonje.

The Minister cited that in the just ended 2023 enrolment period, the Ministry received over twelve thousand (12,000) applications for the 2024 pre-apprenticeship programme against the available capacity of just over two thousand (2,000) per year.

NyaLonje said that even as we await the start of construction at the 15 grant awardee institutions, the SAVE Project is already supporting an increased intake to 7,000 this year.

“Enhancing the capacity of community-based TEVET training institutions as well as private TEVET providers is one strategy that my Ministry pursues to expand access to skills development by the youth and women in Malawi. We also use mobile vans to take skills training to rural communities, although currently we only have 3 training van for the whole country!”, said NyaLonje.

In her speech, TEVET Authority Director of Finance, Sarah Mwale Zgambo, described the grant as a game changer.

She said development of a skilled technical workforce is key to achieving an industrialised and well developed Malawi.

“We cannot talk about quality skills development when TEVET institutions are facing capacity issues. The grant scheme will greatly assist in resolving these issues,” said Zgambo.

The awardees are 5 Community Skills Development Centres, namely: Mbulunji in Rumphi, Sonda in Mzuzu, Mthiransembe in Dowa, Ntchisi Community Skills Development Centre and Kasungu Community Skills Development Centre; 5 Community Technical Colleges, namely: Mangochi, MACOHA-Lilongwe Vocational Training Centre, Kasama in Chitipa, Ezondweni in Mzimba and Kapondo in Mchinji; as well as 5 Private Technical Colleges, namely: Solar Energy and Ecology Institute (SEEI) in Nkhatabay, Miracle Technical College in Karonga, Andiamo Technical College in Balaka, Phwezi Women Training Centre in Rumphi, and SOS Vocational Training Centre in Lilongwe.

This is the first time that individual TEVET institutions in the country have received such direct support for institutional expansion.

This is the first round of the competitive grant scheme. A further set of 15 TEVET institutions will benefit in a subsequent round.