Online Reporter
The Herald
9 April 1981
ZIMBABWE faced a critical shortage of skilled manpower and the Government plans to expand technical colleges in Salisbury and Bulawayo to help meet the need, the Minister of Manpower Planning and Development, Mr Frederick Shava, said yesterday.
Opening the Metal Box apprentice training centre in Salisbury, Mr Shava said the country should “summon all its efforts” to produce sufficient manpower to stop development from stagnating.
Mr Shava appealed to the private sector to provide improved in-service practical training. Such training still relied on the “sitting next to Nellie” principle, which had been largely discredited. Most journeymen were more concerned with meeting production deadlines than passing on knowledge.
Mr Shava urged industrialists to explore ways of pooling their resources with the aid of Government for greater effectiveness in training.
At present the efforts of most of private sector concerns were too fragmented and parochial. “The pooling of resources will enable more people to be trained at a lesser cost especially with regard to foreign currency for the importation of training equipment.
“The Government is considering incentives for employers who take a definite initiative in collective efforts.”
Lessons for today:
- There have been significant improvements in manpower, training colleges and universities in Zimbabwe over the years. The government has been actively working hard to enhance technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to address the skills gap and support economic development.
- Heritage-Based Education 5.0 Model which emphasises teaching, research, community service, innovation, and industrialization. It aims to create entrepreneurs and support the industrialisation and modernisation of Zimbabwe
- Collaboration with Industry: Partnerships with organizations like the National Manpower Advisory Council (NAMACO) and the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) help align curricula with industry needs.
- These efforts have contributed to a more robust and responsive education system, better preparing students for the workforce and supporting the country’s development goals.
