malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA is set to preside over the Youth Empowerment Forum to be held at Magamba Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Mutare, Manicaland province, next month.
The event, which will be held under the theme “Empower Youth; Secure the Future”, seeks to promote skills training, reduce young people’s vulnerability and increase their participation in mainstream economic activities.
Acting director for communication and advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Mr Ranson Madzamba told The Sunday Mail that hosting such forums at VTCs is meant to highlight the significance of these institutions in promoting self-help skills.
“We have previously had empowerment forums for youths in Mashonaland East province at Nhakiwa VTC and Mushagashe VTC in Masvingo province,” said Mr Madzamba.
“This time, everything would be happening at Magamba VTC in Manicaland and, as is the norm, the guest of honour would be His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
Other key objectives of the event, he said, are to increase awareness, commitment and investment in youth development initiatives.
“The event will provide a platform for the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to engage with young people and also to identify and unlock socio-economic opportunities for the youth by engaging policymakers in key sectors of the economy to harness the youth dividend towards the achievement of Vision 2030,” he added.
Last year, 25 000 youths were enrolled at VTCs around the country.
“The ministry is currently operating 45 VTCs across the country’s 10 provinces and these are also linked to 25 satellite centres that have been set up by the ministry in a bid to decentralise the skills training initiative,” said Mr Madzamba.
“The VTCs are operational and in 2023 alone, a total of 25 000 young people benefitted from this initiative in a bid to support the human capital development drive as espoused in the National Development Strategy 1, which highlights skills development as key in attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030.”
Training being undertaken at VTCs reportedly focuses on market-driven and community-based technical, vocational and entrepreneurial development approaches.
“The courses offered, among others, include mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, tourism and hospitality studies, electrical, textiles technology, agriculture, carpentry and joinery, solar installation and repairs, cosmetology, brick, block-laying and plumbing,” Mr Madzamba said.
“In addition, the VTCs also offer cross-cutting subjects such as entrepreneurship, health education, information and communication technology studies.
“The courses are being continuously adjusted to suit market and industry needs, as well as match the needs of the varied clientele base.
“Programmes are also being streamlined to answer to issues related to green jobs and a green economy.”
According to the United Nations Population Fund, Zimbabwe is an “extremely young country”, with 62 percent of the population below the age of 25 years.
Online Reporter