Online Reporter
Talent Gore
Herald Correspondent
The Government is exploring the establishment of a vocational training centre at the Geo Pomona waste‑to‑energy plant in Harare as part of efforts to build the technical skills required for the country’s green economy.
Following a tour of the Geo Pomona Waste Management site in Harare yesterday, Skills Audit and Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Ambassador Rudo Chitiga emphasised the importance of waste management in sustainable development and climate change mitigation.
“Waste management is an important aspect of sustainable development and dealing with climate effects, as well as the green economy,” she said.
Ambassador Chitiga noted that her ministry is assessing the skill sets available at the site to ensure that all cities in Zimbabwe have a sufficient and competent workforce.
The Government also plans to review training institutions that currently offer relevant qualifications to determine whether they are adequately meeting national demand.
“What we are going to do is look at which schools in Zimbabwe are producing the skills needed at Geo Pomona and whether they can cover the whole country. If they are not enough, where can we train them?” she said.
Ambassador Chitiga emphasised the need for hands-on training.
“It would be good to have a centre of excellence here so learners get practical training — not theoretical training from someone who has never seen a dumpsite — but real exposure to state‑of‑the‑art machinery and transferable skills,” she added.
Geo Pomona Executive Chairman and CEO Dr Dilesh Nguwaya expressed the company’s readiness to partner with the Government in skills development and youth empowerment.
“In terms of working with the ministry, we have young people sitting at home doing nothing. They need to come here, learn, and gain new skills that can transform their lives,” he said. This collaboration is expected to help local authorities across the country develop the technical capacity required to operate modern waste management systems, as Zimbabwe moves towards a sustainable and green economy.
