Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A TOTAL of 963 students graduated from the inaugural Matabeleland South Vocational Training Centre graduation ceremony at Phangani Vocational Training Centre in Insiza District on Friday.
Drawn from five vocational training centres, including Phangani, Avoca, Esigodini, Guyu, and St Mary’s Lutumba, these graduates represent a combined enrolment of 4 452.
The various courses offered encompass brick and block laying, carpentry and joinery, clothing and textiles technology, hospitality and tourism, motor mechanics, metal fabrication, fitting and turning, horticulture, cosmetology, and electrical engineering, with a focus on solar installation.
The theme of the graduation ceremony was “Vocational training and skills development, the weapon in the fight against drug and substance abuse”.
Guest of honour and Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, praised the growing number of women participating in vocational training programmes under the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
“The graduates underwent training in various vocations that are meant to give impetus to the current national goals and aspirations as we strive towards achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 adopted by the Second Republic,” she said in a speech read on her behalf by her ministry’s permanent secretary, Mrs Lathiso Dlamini-Maseko.
“The theme of this graduation ceremony puts emphasis on the shared need for VTCs to take centre stage in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“In line with this theme, we need to address the drug and substance abuse scourge that is bedevilling Matabeleland South province and the nation at large.”
Dr Ndlovu urged the graduates to be exemplary within their communities and show that skills training can be an effective tool for occupying young people to keep them away from drug and substance abuse.
She urged VTCs to undertake programmes within their institutions and communities to help fight the scourge.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training plans to establish at least one vocational training centre in every district.
Dr Ndlovu said this development is aimed at ensuring that all the youth leaving school, university and college get relevant skills for employment or entrepreneurship for industry growth.
“Government under the Second Republic is in full support of community-based development initiatives such as the one we are witnessing here today,” she said.
“Vocational training centres act as the Government’s conduits for rural industrialisation and economic development. ICTs will be developed at VTCs and appropriate ICT skills will be imparted.”
Matabeleland South provincial centre head responsible for coordinating VTCs, Mr Hilton Moyo, said the graduates had been adequately prepared to contribute towards developing the country’s economy. He said they had also been exposed to industrial training.
“These youths already are promising to significantly contribute towards the attainment of Vision 2030. Most of them have already secured employment opportunities in Zimbabwe and abroad while some have started their small enterprises in the country. The curriculum they have gone through addresses industry-specific needs,” he said.
Mr Moyo said VTCs were facing the challenge of low enrolment due to various reasons, which include gold panning and youth migration to neighbouring countries. He said plans are underway to introduce mining courses to attract more students.
Plans are also underway to establish partnerships with investors for the development of the VTCs. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter