Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S industrialisation initiative hinges on the ability of training institutions to align their educational programmes with the specific needs of various sectors and emerging technologies.
Speaking at a strategic plan stakeholders’ consultation workshop in Harare last Friday, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development Ambassador Rudo Chitiga underscored the critical need for this alignment to avoid potential setbacks in the country’s economic progress.
Ambassador Chitiga said skills could not be viewed as a uniform entity, as each sector demanded unique competencies tailored to its specific needs and characteristics.
Over the course of over 39 consultations conducted across different provinces, the ministry has extensively analysed the national skills landscape.
This groundwork aims to identify gaps in skills and inform necessary upgrades for training institutions, ensuring they produce graduates equipped for the modern job market.
The findings from these consultations revealed a persistent skills gap across all sectors, raising concerns about Zimbabwe’s workforce readiness.
Notably, despite universities producing a significant number of engineers, there remains a critical shortage of artisans.
Present statistics indicate a concerning ratio of seven engineers for every one artisan, revealing a substantial imbalance that needs to be addressed.
Said Ambassador Chitiga: “Industries cannot operate effectively without a skilled technical workforce, making it imperative to close this gap.”
To address the evolving technological landscape, the ministry has initiated collaboration with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe to establish specialised vocational schools, including one focused on iron and steel technology in Manhize.
“If we specialise, we can create the right skills and allow technology to evolve within the training system,” she said, emphasising the importance of targeted training.
In addition, the ministry is conducting a national skills audit, starting with the agriculture sector, to further inform and shape training curricula in line with labour market demands.
Ambassador Chitiga stressed the importance of recognising and valuing both technical and academic skills equally.
“Zimbabweans love degrees, but we also need people who are good with their hands. Technical skills must carry the same pride as academic skills,” she said.
In a bid to enhance skills development, the ministry is looking to leverage the knowledge and expertise of Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
By tapping into this resource, the ministry aims to incorporate advanced skills sharing, masterclasses and innovative programme design into local training efforts.
“There is a Zimbabwean heading an EV (electric vehicle) school somewhere in the world. We do not need them to come back; we need them to help us design our training here,” said Ambassador Chitiga.
She articulated the ministry’s mission to create a skills development architecture that is agile, coherent and aligned with Vision 2030, which is the Government’s long-term economic blueprint aiming for sustainable development.
Following her address, stakeholders at the workshop presented a consolidated list of demands and expectations, pushing for a more detailed and inclusive national skills plan. The ongoing dialogue between the ministry and stakeholders reflects a growing recognition of the importance of skills alignment in fostering a workforce capable of driving Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda.
