Programme for unemployed graduates set up

Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
THE Government has invited unemployed graduates from the country’s 10 provinces to form groups according to their area of expertise and approach it for funding to set up new business projects.The new businesses would be financed under the Graduate Entrepreneurial and Employment Promotion Programme (GEEPP), recently established by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education.
Institutions of higher learning are spearheading the programme, which is aimed at creating economic opportunities for thousands of jobless yet skilled youths.
Lupane State University (LSU) is steering the programme in Matabeleland North province with Bulawayo Polytechnic and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (JMN) Polytechnic, coordinating the scheme in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South.
In an interview yesterday, GEEP chairman in Matabeleland North Province Mr Maximillion Nyathi said graduates would be grouped into four categories of hatchery, artisans, construction and consultancy.
“We need 30 graduates in the hatchery category, 10 in artisans, 10 in construction and 10 in consultancy work. The number is the same in other provinces,” said Mr Nyathi.
“The hatchery category requires agriculture graduates while artisans comprise of engineers, welders and motor mechanics. The construction category comprises of electricians, plumbers and carpenters while consultancy requires finance and banking graduates.”
He said once identified and approved, the candidates would be required to establish their businesses in Lupane save for the consultancy category.
Mr Nyathi urged the unemployed graduates in the province to take advantage of the programme and said those who are interested should visit LSU offices at Pioneer House in Bulawayo or the provincial information office in Lupane.
“This programme has been created for college and university graduates who are not employed. Funding has been secured and as institutions of higher learning we assist the graduates in drafting business plans, which we submit to head office for approval,” said Mr Nyathi, who is also LSU director for Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development.
“The idea is to help graduates to employ themselves. Funding would be given as a loan facility and the amount given would depend on the project being undertaken.”
He said the programme was meant to complement the Youth Development Fund and the Community Share Ownership Scheme/ Trust (CSOS/T).
Acting principal at the Bulawayo Polytechnic Mr Gilbert Mabasa confirmed that his institution was coordinating the programme in Bulawayo but declined to give more details.
“The programme has just started. It is meant for unemployed graduates and the idea is to create wealth and jobs. I am in Victoria Falls now. You can talk to our head office in Harare for more details,” said Mr Mabasa.
JMN Polytechnic principal Dr Ngoni Mhule Moyo declined to comment and said he wanted questions in writing.
However, an official from the college who preferred anonymity also said the programme was on and indicated that graduates have started making enquiries about the projects.
“Yes we are coordinating GEEPP in Matabeleland South. Students have started coming here to make inquiries. You can talk to the senior officials for more details,” said the official.
Institutions of higher learning are steering provincial committees that comprise of personnel drawn from Agritex, Empretec, Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Ministry of Public Works, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and the Standards Association of Zimbabwe.
These provide the required expertise and skills to implement the four projects.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Washington Mbizvo, could not be reached for comment on his mobile.