By Archford Chirimudombo
MARONDERA- The Government is aware of unemployment among the youths and will address it by establishing affordable Vocational Training Centres (VCTs) in all parts of the country.
Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tinoda Machakaire said this at a recent graduation ceremony for seven VCTs from Mashonaland East Province.
The ceremony was held at Tabudirira Vocational Training Centre in Mutoko, where 350 students from Tabudirira, Mount View, Ernest Kadungure, Nhakiwa, Mudzi, Marondera and Nyahoni VCTs graduated after undergoing training in various disciplines.
Minister Machakaire said the graduands were now equipped to contribute to the country’s vision of becoming an empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030. He added that vocational training and skills development play critical roles in combating drug and substance abuse among the youth as youth unemployment often fueled poverty, substance abuse, early marriages and organised crime.
“However, the Government has a solution of providing affordable vocational training to the youth of Zimbabwe. The Ministry has 60 vocational training centres under its purview in all the country’s provinces, with seven in Mashonaland East. These centres provide our youth with the opportunity to acquire practical skills, essential for entrepreneurship, employment and self-sufficiency.”
The Minister said the VTCs were accessible to all, with no entry qualification but personal desire. He encouraged the girl child, young persons with disabilities and those who have been marginalised and failed to attain basic education to take advantage of VTCs in their communities.
Because of the changing times and needs in skills, the VCTs will equip the youths with globally relevant skills that enhance employability within Zimbabwe and beyond.
“We are geared towards establishing a vibrant vocational training ecosystem that fosters innovation, modernisation, and climate smart resource utilisation with our youth leading in economic development. Therefore, all vocational training centres should have information communication technology infrastructure and internet connectivity to ensure acquisition of digital skills in tandem with our modernisation thrust,” he said.
Vocational Training Centres are expected to have production units that generate funds for sustainability and mentor trainees to be entrepreneurs. Nhakiwa VTC is a beneficiary of a modern production unit, with fish ponds, nutritional garden and a livestock production project commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May this year.
However, Minister Machakaire, said, treasury has limited resources which may not fulfil some needs and challenged VTCs to explore alternative funding through productive means.
He therefore urged all VTCs to develop innovative and sustainable business units. To achieve the Ministry’s vision of an empowered youth actively participating in national development by 2030, collaboration is key.
Mashonaland East Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Tavabarira Kutamahufa challenged the graduands to use the skills acquired to advance national development.
He said: “A capacitated, innovative and disciplined youth is a good guarantee of our future development. As we are aware, youth should be included in the development affairs of the nation.”
New Ziana
