Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
BEING out of school without employment can be an untenable, and not so pleasant situation for any youth.
Life can become extremely difficult as the world is not so kind to those without formal education or relevant practical skills to earn a living.
Such circumstances can be harsh for youths from rural communities where options to find something that earns some financial income can be very limited.
This places youths in rural areas including females in the peripheries of economic activity and perpetuate circles of poverty in families and communities.
However, this is set to change as Government, working in tandem with developmental partners is rolling out initiatives to take skills training right into marginalised communities, Youths are being equipped with vital vocational skills such as welding, carpentry and dressing making.
This is an endeavour to make every citizen, particularly youths to actively participate and contribute in the national economy, while accruing decent earnings.
The skills training programme is being rolled out in Buhera District, where youths are gaining valuable skills, opening doors to new life changing opportunities and economic independence.
This initiative being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training in partnership with World Vison under the banner Enhancing Rural Education for Sustainable Development saw 51 youths aged between 18 and 24 years graduating after a one-month intensive training facilitated by Buhera Vocational College.
Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Skills Training provincial deputy director, Mr Alexis Mwakipesile, said the skills enhancement programme is a game changer for youths drawn from Chirozva Village as they were capacitated with survival skills without anticipating handouts from Government and donors.
He challenged the youths to utilise their acquired skills to create employment for other people.
“Enhancing rural education for sustainable development will not be complete without the skills training component where we nurture the future of our youths and grow our local industry. As a ministry and Government, we take pride in young people, and believe that skill is the unified force of experience, intellect and passion.
“In a world that is changing everyday, it is those who are equipped with knowledge, innovation and practical ability who will create opportunities, not only for themselves, but for their families, communities and the nation at large. The skills being gained give freedom, while the knowledge acquired give power, and together they give you a future. The just-ended training has churned out youths who are ready to start up their own businesses and are geared to join the world of entrepreneurs.
“Great minds see prosperity ahead and boast of being employment creators than employment seekers. With such knowledge invested in you, there is no reason for not changing the face of the Chirozva community.
‘‘The youths have been equipped with knowledge and practical skills. The beautiful thing about acquiring a skill is that no one can take it away from you.
“Go out and shine, prove that skills transform lives, be ambassadors of hard work, integrity and excellence. Today, you carry with you the tools of empowerment, go out there and make a difference. Have a positive impact in a world and country that is battling drug and substance abuse,” he said.
World Vision Buhera Cluster programme manager, Mr Noah Nyowani said skilled youths have the capacity to transform rural communities, and also the programme is addressing the issue of idleness which tempt youths to engage in risk behaviours such as drug and substance abuse.
“Our vison is to see youths especially from rural areas leading decent lives. We want to positively impact on the lives of youths who are out of school doing nothing. Failure to advance with formal education should not be the end of the world. We saw it if fit to partner Government to reach out to out of school youths so that we equip them with practical skills.
“Issues such a drug and substance abuse can be curbed if we capacitate and empower our idle youths. We endeavour to see transformation in our communities led by youths. If we live behind the youths, we will be neglecting the future. During the 30 days they were being trained, they showed immense potential as they manufactured high quality products, and we are assured that they will do well on the market,” said Mr Nyowani.
A graduand, Ms Moreblessing Sauti (20), said the dress making training she received will open opportunities for her to become an entrepreneur, employing people in the area.
She said such trainings make youths, especially females like her to be financially stable and reduce cases of early marriages.
“I was trained in garment construction, and my wish is to become an entrepreneur and be a role model to other youths in the area. I want to be my own boss, at the same time uplifting others in the community since they are many idle youths.
My target is to supply schools and individual uniforms.
There is a gap which need to be filled because most parents acquire uniforms for their children outside Buhera. I have a plan to open my own clothing shop,” she optimistically said.
