Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
LOCALS in Makoni District in Manicaland have been accorded a rare opportunity to acquire vital commercial and practical skills for their day-to-day business activities.
The gesture comes as Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) will next week roll out training for massive 44 courses — open to all age groups — at Mavhudzi High School in Nyazura for three days.
The training will be for free and beneficiaries will receive certificates.
The initiative is in line with the university’s spirit and mantra of seeking to shape and impact the future of communities through Science education.
There are no educational qualifications required for one to be eligible, and they will be seconded through their councillors, headmasters and ward development coordinators.
Some of the courses being offered include brick laying, carpentry, cutting and design, electrical, motor mechanics, entrepreneurship, welding, plumbing, hospitality and tourism, veterinary services, baking, first aid, ICT internet skills, bee-keeping, bookkeeping, brick moulding, business communications, cookery, cellphone repair and maintenance, cosmetology, detergent making, horticulture, hairdressing, project management, social media marketing, sign language, sign-writing, records management and basic sports training, with a Cuban instructor, among others.
Makoni Rural District Council Ward 16 representative, Alderman Timothy Chingwende, who is also the ZANU PF Makoni District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for education, applauded BUSE for decentralising access to education, saying acquired life skills will emancipate communities to become self-reliant and economically active.
“The programme is all about empowering marginalised communities so that they can acquire skills. These short courses will propel success for many people. The programmes will create entrepreneurs who may end-up employing others.
“People have welcomed the programme and are responding well. We expect a full house. We would like to appreciate BUSE for taking education to the people.
“There are a lot of people who are idle in our communities due to lack of survival skills. This will help our people to be economically active, generate their own income and not to rely on handouts,” said Alderman Chingwende.
Makoni DCC secretary for youth affairs, Cde Joseph Mugomba said practical skills are important as they help youths to start income generating projects, which keep them occupied and minimise chances of being swayed into vices such as drug and substance abuse.
“A skilled youth is an empowered youth. Our youths are facing insurmountable challenges such as drug and substance abuse, which mainly emanate from idleness.
“These short courses will help to make the youths busy, doing productive and profitable activities. Government through BUSE is living up to its mantra of leaving no person and no place behind in terms of economic development. Youths from the district have fully embraced the programme.
“Formal jobs are dwindling as the informal sector is thriving, and only those with practical skills are dominating. The coming on board of BUSE is a major relief for youths in the district as we do not have a vocational training centre. Basic skills play pivotal role in driving the economy,” said Cde Mugomba.
Online Reporter