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George Maponga and Tadious Manyepo in MASVINGO
THE Government has embarked on an audacious plan to establish Vocational Training Centres across all the country’s districts to enhance skills training amongst the youths.
Speaking at Mushagashe Training Centre where he conferred certificates to over 2 000 students drawn from four VTCs, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire said youths play a key role in the country’s economy.
“The Government through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training has adopted a deliberate plan to establish at least one vocational training centre in every district of the country.
“This development is aimed at ensuring that as many youths as possible get the relevant skills for employment or entrepreneurship for industry growth,” said Min Machakaire.
“In this regard, support is required for all local authorities to avail land or infrastructure for the establishment of VTCs as the youth contribute immensely to the economic development agenda.
“By investing in our youth and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive as the workforce, we are laying the foundation for a prosperous future for all Zimbabweans.”
Minister Machakaire was particularly impressed with how marginalised individuals, including those with autism and albinism are undertaking vocational training.
“What is particularly encouraging is the fact that amongst the graduates today we have young persons with disability, a true adherence to His Excellency, President E.D Mnangagwa’s mantra of “leaving no one behind,” he said.
“This rings true of the adage ‘disability is not inability'”. The gradual increase in the number of female students that are participating in the skills training initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry is encouraging and this trend has been noticed across the country.
“Let me take this opportunity to emphasise that VTCs must take centre stage in the fight against drug and substance abuse. Skills training can go a long way in addressing this pandemic. I urge you all graduates to be exemplary within the communities that you reside in.”
Vocational training, Minister Machakaire said, was in tandem with the National Development Strategy 1, which feeds into Vision 2030.
“Vocational Training plays a pivotal role in development as the NDS 1 identifies human capital development as one of the key pillars for national development,” he said.
“Efforts being undertaken by our VTCs are specifically geared towards this key national development agenda. By investing in our youth and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive as the workforce, we are laying the foundation for a prosperous future for all Zimbabweans. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” .
Min Machakaire also said vocational training was a key anchor of the ongoing thrust to propel Zimbabwe into an upper middle income society by 2030.
Mushagashe Training Centre principal Mrs Ruth Kutsiraiyi said her institution has since made Agriculture and ICT compulsory.
“We have decided to make sure that every student who passes through here should study ICT and Agriculture because they are key pillars of the country’s economy,” she said.
“We are dedicated to educating the youths and play our role in the economic dispensation of the country.”
Over 2 400 youths completed various courses at Mushagashe, Masvingo Urban, Gutu and Chivi-Mhandamabwe VTCs.
Among the graduates were those who successfully completed courses in motor mechanics, building, dress making, catering, among others vocations.
Online Reporter