Sundaymail Editor
Sunday Mail Reporter
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans, especially women and youths, will soon begin benefitting from techno hubs being established by the Government to equip citizens with essential digital skills.
The skills are increasingly critical in today’s job market, where industries are becoming more technology-driven.
A techno hub is a centre designed to provide digital skills training, innovation support and technology-driven solutions to individuals and businesses.
The hubs typically focus on areas such as cybersecurity, software development, artificial intelligence, data science and entrepreneurship.
They serve as learning and collaboration spaces where people — especially the youth and women — can gain practical tech skills, access mentorship and connect with opportunities in the digital economy.
In an interview, Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, said the initiative, which is being spearheaded in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services and private sector partners, will provide training in key areas such as cybersecurity, coding and digital literacy.
The hubs will serve as innovation and skills development centres, helping communities adapt to technological advancements.
Prof Mavima said in the modern job market, digital literacy was no longer optional, but a necessity for accessing opportunities and driving innovation.
“As a ministry, together with the Ministry of ICT and partners, we are in the process of establishing a techno hub,” he said.
“This hub will be providing digital skills training to all citizens, specifically the youth and women.
“Recently, we partnered UPANZI, an organisation from Rwanda to provide cybersecurity skills to institutions such as the University of Zimbabwe, St Peter’s Kubatana, Speciss College . . .”
He said the initiative was part of a broader strategy to reskill and upskill the Zimbabwean workforce, ensuring it remained competitive in the digital economy.
Prof Mavima said a comprehensive national skills audit will soon be launched, starting with key sectors such as agriculture and tourism, to identify skill deficits and gaps.
The audit will examine the need for skills of the future in the local job market to ensure Zimbabwe’s workforce remains competitive in the global economy.
Online Reporter