65-year-old among VTC graduates in Zvimba

Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau

FOR 65-YEAR-OLD Leonard Musekiwa, studying motor mechanics and equipment maintenance at Mt Hampden Vocational Training Centre in Zvimba district was long overdue.

Despite his old age, he is not regretting enrolling for the course.

Mr Musekiwa is a beneficiary of the Land Reform Programme and is involved in a thriving farming enterprise in Beatrice.

He was among the over 400 people who graduated at the inaugural Provincial VTCs graduation ceremony at Murombedzi Vocational Training Centre that was officiated by Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tinoda Machakaire.

Graduates were drawn from all the eight VTCs in the province.

Mr Musekiwa was the oldest graduate.

Said Mr Musekiwa: “Age is only a number and won’t stop one from acquiring knowledge. Usually, people don’t know why we acquire education. It is merely to acquire a paper but knowledge and skill and, with this Education 5.0 model, we have benefited a lot.”

For Mr Musekiwa, the skills learnt at the VTC filled the missing link to his successful operations.

Mr Musekiwa has also recently graduated with certificates in agronomy and other related courses.

The graduation ceremony also saw many VTC graduates giving testimonies of how the new education model had transformed their lives.

Police Sergeant Eddinngton Chadarika, who studied at Murombedzi VTC and graduated with a Certificate in Plumbing and Drain Laying in preparation for retirement, said the education model had taught him to be entrepreneurial hence the opening of an outlet that sells plumbing material.

In his speech, Minister Machakaire rallied more women to embrace engineering studies.

“I am truly delighted to see a growing number of women enrolling in engineering programmes. This positive trend not only contributes to gender diversity in a traditionally male-dominated field but also brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to industry.”

Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, said the province had plans to increase the number of VTCs to cater for all areas.