Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
PRACTICAL education is the backbone of industry success, and it is imperative that training institutions keep pace with the latest technological advancements to churn out graduates that are tech-savvy.
This was highlighted by the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Honourable Mutsawashe Ziyambi, during the recent tour of Magamba and Mutare Vocational Training Centres.
Honourable Ziyambi noted the crucial role of vocational training centres, adding that the creation of a dedicated ministry underscores their importance. He also stressed the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure that these institutions remain effective and relevant.
“As a committee, we have embarked on a fact finding visits to certain vocational training centres across the country. In Manicaland, we are assessing Magamba Vocational Training Centre and Mutare Vocational Training Centre to see how they are modernised in terms of technological advancement to meet the demands of the industry.
“Vocational training centres are key in this country as evidenced by the creation of a ministry to oversee their operations. The state of facilities at Magamba and Mutare vocational training centres are quite impressive as there are lots of programmes relevant to current industry demands.
“We heard that they are working well with industries, which are absorbing their students through industrial attachments and actual employment,” said Honourable Ziyambi.
Magamba Vocational Training Centre acting centre head, Mr Rexmore Chisunga said the institution is exploring innovative approaches to engage with unenrolled students, including the use of mobile training kits, which are regularly deployed to conduct skills needs assessments with local companies.
“We are a farm-based vocational centre, hence our strength is in agriculture. At the moment we are offering 11 modularised courses. We have also the community skills outreach programme and youth mentorship programme where we take the institution right into the society to take care of those who are unable to access our programmes at Magamba.
“There are youths who cannot attend lectures due to circumstances like baby feeding, and some have income generating projects which they cannot leave unmanned, so we follow them in their wards. We also identify some master craft persons or business mentors who are right in the communities and induct them so that they are able to pass-on the skills that they have to the youths.
“We are now implementing the competence-based education training curriculum where the focus is on the acquisition of skills as opposed to theory. We are running a number of production units to supplement Government funding and they are performing well. We now have a college business unit that is registered as a company, and exported fine bean last year.
“We have three hectares of sugar bean, and soon we will be planting chillies for export. We had two hectares of tobacco, and we are now at the bailing stage, ready for auctioning. All the agronomic practices are done by the students. We have thriving broiler and piggery units, and have also embarked on fish farming,” he said.
Mutare Vocational Training Centre head, Mr Benson Mazani said the institution has successfully adopted competence-based training, yielding impressive results, which saw several of their students establishing their own companies and projects. Mr Mazani also said the centre is collaborating with Mutare City Council to relocate to a more spacious site, paving the way for further growth and development.
“Currently, we are offering nine courses. We intend to introduce Information Communication Technology soon. The centre is solely run on fees which have been reduced from the gazetted US$205 to US$150 to attract more students.
“The centre has also received support from development partners, who are providing financial assistance to cover student fees and training materials. Furthermore, we have introduced a modularised education system, offering students the flexibility to specialise in specific areas. For example, instead of pursuing a comprehensive hotel and catering course, students can now enrol in focused programmes, such as bakery studies, and receive a certificate upon completion.
“We are proud to have empowered students to become successful entrepreneurs, creating jobs for fellow graduates. Our alumni are excelling in various fields, including motor mechanics, welding, bakery, clothing, and design.
“Currently, we are operating from a Mutare City Council premises in Sakubva. However, we have partnered with the local authority to construct a new, purpose-built centre. The council has committed to the construction, while the ministry will provide trainers and programmes, ensuring our continued growth and success,” he said.
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