RDC sets up satellite VTC

Blessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council and the community have established a satellite vocational training centre to complement Government’s efforts to boost skills training and foster entrepreneurship. The Mamina VTC has since started a successful poultry project, which supplies 17 340 chickens after every 35 days to Chegutu-based Sable Chickens.

At least 128 of the VTC’s first students recently graduated after undergoing training in tourism and hospitality, brick and block laying, motor mechanics and agriculture.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Mashonaland West provincial officer for the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Mr Edias Mavune, applauded Mhondoro- Ngezi RDC for complementing Government’s driive for a VTC in each district.

“The VTC is unique as it was started by the community,” he said. “However, the challenge is that it is still a satellite institution and has a shortage of staff which Government has promised to urgently address.”

Mr Mavune indicated that platinum giant Zimplats had pledged funds to transform the VTC into a fully-fledged institution.
Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC chairman Alderman Ephraim Chengeta appealed to Government for more resources to upgrade the VTC.

“This is the only higher and tertiary institution in our district and of importance we constructed it on our own, so we plead with Government to offer us maximum support to complement our little efforts,” he said.

Mr Wadson Pfumojena, who is in charge of the poultry project, said the institution’s broiler project has been viable since its inception in 2017.

“Our first batch in 2017 was 15 000 layers, but we then shifted to broilers until now,” he said. “The project is viable. Mortality is usually high during the first week, during which we lose about 25 chicks daily with the numbers declining as the days progress.
“We work as a team of four and are assisted by students during their practical lessons.”

Students are reportedly being paid allowances from iincome generated by the poultry project.