Harare, (New Ziana) – The Ministry of Skills Audit and Development is touring three provinces in the eastern region, namely Manicaland, Mashonaland East, and Masvingo, holding exhibitions featuring the youth, artisans, training institutions, industry partners, and communities to showcase practical solutions to local challenges.
Launched last month, the National Skills Fair is a landmark initiative designed to celebrate and promote skills excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the country.
It also represents a paradigm shift in the way the country recognises and values talent, demonstrating that skills and talent are not confined to educational institutions alone.
From October 21 to 31, fair exhibitions were held in Chipinge, Chimanimani, Nyanga and Mutasa districts in Manicaland province. Currently, exhibitions are underway in Mashonaland East province where Mudzi, Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, Goromonzi and Chikomba districts will be covered till the end of November.
The National Skills Fair rollout will end in December this year with shows in Mwenezi, Chivi, Bikita and Gutu districts in Masvingo province.
“The National Skills Fair aims to mobilise participation from youth, training institutions, industry partners, Government officials, and communities across Zimbabwe. Its objectives include showcasing skills excellence and practical innovation that addresses real community challenges, fostering entrepreneurship and creating pathways for economic empowerment, promoting inclusive participation, with special focus on marginalised groups and remote communities, as well as strengthening linkages between skills development and rural industrialisation,” the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development said in a statement.
Participants at the fair include youth and trainees from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, artisans and informal sector workers, local communities and community-based organisations, industry and business representatives, microfinance institutions, government Ministries, local authorities, development partners, traditional leaders and community mobilisers.
The National Skills Fair will provide participants a platform for visibility and market access, networking opportunities with potential employers and investors, access to microfinance institutions and business development support, recognition and certification pathways for informal skills as well as information on training and upskilling opportunities.
“Zimbabwe’s informal economy contributes over 60 percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and employs the majority of the workforce. However, skills within this sector have remained largely unrecognised and unsupported. The National Skills Fair addresses this gap by creating a platform that celebrates both formally trained and informally skilled Zimbabweans.
“Research shows that many of Zimbabwe’s most innovative solutions to local challenges come from artisans, small-scale entrepreneurs, and community-based innovators who may not have completed formal education but possess valuable practical skills and indigenous knowledge,” the Ministry said.
New Ziana
