Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
In a significant move aimed at revitalising vocational training in Harare, the Harare City Council has entered into a partnership with a local company to relocate the dilapidated centre from Mbare to a new, conducive site in Budiriro.
The new facility will open its doors early next year, prioritising safety, technology, and skills development.
This comes as the old training facility in Mbare had been abandoned for decades, with critical infrastructure deteriorating beyond repair.
As a result, the facility had been turned into a hub for criminal activities such as drug peddling.
“The centre was vandalised over the years. Electrical cables, windows, water pipes, doors, and even toilet seats and cisterns were stolen. Drug peddlers took over the building, turning it into a hub of criminal activities,” said a Mbare resident who preferred anonymity.
A council official told this publication: “Rehabilitating the centre at the current site would not have shaken off the criminality and drug abuse activities associated with the area. Relocating it to a safer and more conducive environment makes sense; hence council settled for Budiriro.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the Budiriro facility aims to offer modern empowerment skills in line with the recently introduced heritage-based education policy.
Students will leave the centre with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s digital economy, including carpentry, metalwork, and coding.
The institution will offer free Wi-Fi to all students, thereby enhancing their learning experience.
This initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to fostering education and vocational training as essential components of community development.
As the new Vocational Training Centre takes shape, it is hoped that it will become a model for future educational initiatives.
The Budiriro community and surrounding areas can look forward to a brighter future, where education and vocational training are at the forefront of combating social issues and empowering the youth.
Online Reporter