VTC for Makoni West

Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has plans to convert Chiwetu Rest Camp in Makoni West into a Vocational Training Centre (VCT) in line with the national objective to make technical training and other skills development accessible to youths in rural areas, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Minister of Youths, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Cde Patrick Zhuwao, was impressed by the existing infrastructure at the proposed site and pledged to fast-track the project in 2016.

Cde Zhuwao said his ministry wanted to establish VTCs in every constituency that target to train 1 300 youths before they access funding.

The term technical and vocational skills development refers to the acquisition of knowledge, practical competencies, know-how and attitudes necessary to perform a certain trade or occupation in the labour market.

“We have a fund for various youth projects, but we need to equip them with technical and entrepreneurial skills first before giving them money. This is the only way of ensuring they put the money to good use.

“We view skills development as an important factor in the drive to enhance productivity, stimulate economic competitiveness, create the two million jobs and raise people out of poverty,” said Cde Zhuwao.

He said investing in knowledge and skills was the cornerstone of developing an employable and globally competitive work force.

He said a skilled and knowledgeable workforce improves the investment climate by creating an attractive economic environment for investors.

Makoni West legislator, Cde Kudzi Chipanga, who is the brains behind the idea, said education and skills training could open doors to economically and socially rewarding jobs and growth of informal-sector businesses in rural areas.

“These programmes will generally focus on providing youths and women with hands-on instruction in a specific trade, and generally allow them to forgo the general education courses associated with most postsecondary programs.

“This will also give them an edge in job searches, since they already have all the certifiable knowledge needed to enter the field. These skills are certainly beneficial,” said Cde Chipanga.

“Skills are central to improve employability and livelihood opportunities, reduce poverty, enhance productivity and promote environmentally sustainable development. Co-ordinated efforts are needed to develop an integrated approach that improves access to relevant, good quality education and training to all rural youths and women,” said Cde Chipanga.

Cde Chipanga, who is also the Zanu-PF national deputy secretary for youth affairs, said urgent action was needed to reach out to rural youths whose access to education and training is limited by financial barriers and non-financial barriers like scarce training infrastructure and inflexible training schedules.

“For poor rural youths the opportunity costs for education and training are too high and tend to hamper their access to vocational training or other skills development,” said Cde Chipanga.

The returns to increasing investments in skills development tend to be high in rapidly growing economies.

Among the most critical supporting factors of better skills utilisation will be the macro-economic reforms necessary to promote growth, and thus expand the opportunities for business development and employment.