Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
THE Ministry of Skills Audit and Development is crafting a National Skills Development Policy that prioritises the creation of a skills database for retired experts in the private and public sectors while tapping into the expertise of Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
This initiative is a key focus area for 2025, aiming to bridge the country’s critical skills gaps and align workforce capabilities with Vision 2030 goals.
The national skills audit will identify areas where the country is lacking expertise, enabling the design of targeted educational and training programmes to boost workforce efficiency and address Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation objectives.
In addition, the policy will help Zimbabwe adapt to and benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Speaking at a recent meeting in Bulawayo, Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, highlighted the ministry’s achievements and ongoing initiatives.
He said this year, the ministry conducted 39 stakeholder consultations at the national level to explore the skills landscape.
They also assessed the country’s scholarship programmes, making recommendations to improve their administration and targeting.
The ministry has also analysed skills requirements in critical sectors such as mining, identifying gaps and proposing solutions to address them. Going forward, Prof Mavima said a comprehensive national skills audit will be conducted to ensure strategic alignment of human capital development with national aspirations.
“We are developing a national skills development policy anchored on a full understanding of the elements that make up a highly effective skills development ecosystem that will give Zimbabwe the skills revolution it needs,” said Prof Mavima.
He emphasised the importance of building a robust skills development ecosystem to catalyse Zimbabwe’s skills revolution.
“We are developing a national mindset that understands the importance of skills by undertaking provincial and national skills fairs, expos and competitions, creating skills database for retired experts in both private and public sectors and identifying diaspora skills available for contributing to national development,” said Prof Mavima.
The ministry also plans to focus on rural skills development programmes, resilience-building initiatives and entrepreneurship training for women and youth. In collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, efforts are underway to establish a digital skills enhancement programme, a high-level software engineering school and a high-tech enterprise incubation centre accessible to young Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe’s diaspora community represents a significant untapped resource. Many Zimbabweans abroad have gained valuable skills and experience in sectors such as finance, technology, healthcare and engineering, holding influential positions in their host countries.
The ministry is reviewing the Zimbabwe National Diaspora Policy, initially crafted in 2016, to ensure it responds to the evolving needs of the diaspora community. By implementing targeted initiatives and strategic engagement measures, the ministry aims to harness the diaspora’s potential to transfer technology, promote best practices and foster innovation in Zimbabwe.
The ministry’s mandate to work with other ministries and agencies on human capital development ensures that Zimbabwe’s curricula and training programmes are well-targeted and adequately resourced. This co-ordinated approach will equip Zimbabweans with the skills needed to meet national development goals and achieve Vision 2030.
As the ministry forges ahead, the creation of a skills development policy and database will lay the foundation for sustainable growth, leveraging both local and global expertise to drive Zimbabwe’s transformation agenda.
Online Reporter