Online Reporter
Sunday News Reporter
THE Government has unveiled plans to establish at least one Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in every district across Zimbabwe as part of efforts to turn the country’s youthful population into a key driver of economic growth in line with Vision 2030.
Responding to questions from Zimpapers ahead of the National Youth Day celebrations set for 21 February in Marondera, Mashonaland East, Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Mr Ranson Madzamba said the expansion of vocational training is now a national priority guided by a comprehensive Vocational Training Transformation Roadmap.
This year’s commemorations will run under the theme “Youth Agenda for Transformation” and will also mark the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art Vocational and Youth Centre at Igava, named in honour of President Mnangagwa. The centre is expected to play a pivotal role in equipping young people with essential skills and fostering entrepreneurial growth.
Mr Madzamba said the transformation roadmap seeks to modernise infrastructure, strengthen quality assurance systems and standardise operations across all centres.
“A vocational Training Transformation Roadmap is now in place and it will oversee the modernisation of VTCs, ensure infrastructural development and well quality assurance and standardisation of their operations. Financial models are also being developed to support this initiative while also engaging other stakeholders within the public and private sectors,” he said.
Mr Madzamba said the Ministry has developed a blueprint for the transformation of VTCs.
“It will enable the VTCs to be centres of excellence, self-sustenance and to contribute to the overall growth of the economy. The transformation agenda is going to happen in all the districts, as we envisage a situation where we are going to allow every district to have a Vocational Training Centre,” he said.
Currently, the Ministry operates 45 fully established VTCs, supported by 15 satellite centres set up in response to growing demand for practical skills training across the country. However, under the new blueprint, every district will eventually host a fully-fledged centre of excellence.
According to official statistics, 67, 7 percent of the population is under the age of 35 — a demographic reality that policymakers say presents a critical crossroads.
The expansion dovetails with the National Youth Empowerment Strategy launched last year and aligns with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises youth economic empowerment and job creation.
Global best practice shows that a youth bulge can either yield a demographic dividend through targeted investment in skills and empowerment, or become a ticking time-bomb if opportunities are not created.
The Government believes vocational training is central to tipping the balance in favour of growth and stability.
Under the new framework, VTCs are expected to evolve into self-sustaining hubs that directly contribute to economic productivity. Courses on offer include metal fabrication, motor vehicle mechanics, brick and block laying, automobile electrics and electronics, carpentry and joinery, clothing and textile, cosmetology, tourism and hospitality, business studies, agriculture and electrical engineering.
Mr Madzamba said training is needs-driven, ranging from six months for competency certificates to three years for diploma programmes.
He said students under the Training for Enterprise programme are awarded National Foundation Certificates, Certificates of Competency or National Certificates, with trade testing available from Class Four to Class One. Some programmes affiliated to the Higher Education Examinations Council (Hexco) Examinations Board require five O-levels, including Mathematics, English and Science.
Importantly, entry requirements remain accessible. Prospective trainees need only basic literacy to enrol, making VTCs open to school leavers, university graduates seeking practical skills and even adults looking to retool.
Beyond technical skills, the Ministry is also broadening youth empowerment through incubation hubs along various value chains to nurture business ideas, while improving financial inclusion via a youth-focused bank mandated to provide affordable loans for youth-owned enterprises.
In a further institutional shift, Youth Focal Desks have been operationalised across Government ministries, departments and agencies to mainstream youth issues in national development processes.
Complementing the vocational drive is the resuscitated Youth Service in Zimbabwe (YSZ) programme, designed to instil patriotism, discipline and the values of Unhu/Ubuntu among young people aged between 18 and 35.
Mr Madzamba said the Government expects graduates to demonstrate positive behavioural change, shun drug and substance abuse, contribute meaningfully to national development and actively participate in achieving NDS2 targets.
“The programme also promotes youth participation in development through volunteerism and national orientation training and will help to address youth delinquencies such as drug and substance abuse,” he said.
Training centres are currently operating at Dadaya in Zvishavane (Midlands), Vumba in Mutare (Manicaland) and Guyu in Gwanda (Matabeleland South). The curriculum combines national orientation, civic education, disaster management, entrepreneurship, ICT, environmental conservation and anti-corruption training, alongside community attachments in Government departments and development projects.
“As the Government, our expectations from Youth Service in Zimbabwe graduates to shun risky sexual and social behaviours, such as drug and substance abuse and corruption. They should become important assets in the country’s development, contributing positively to national growth,” said Mr Madzamba.
“Graduates are expected to have a service mentality and culture rooted in patriotism. They should have awareness of national economic, political and social policies and legislation. They are also expected to participate in achieving the economic outcomes outlined in the National Development Strategy (NDS2).
Bongani Ndlovu