‘Zim, SADC must prioritise technical, vocational skills’

Leonard Ncube

ZIMBABWE and the rest of the SADC region must prioritise technical and vocational skills development to equip citizens with skills suitable for modern labour market demands, a senior official has said.

Officiating at the Meeting of SADC Ministers of Employment and Labour and Social Partners in Victoria Falls yesterday, Permanent Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Simon Masanga, who is the Chair of the Sadc Employment and Labour Sector Senior Officials, said employment remains at the core of sustainable development and industrialisation in the region.

“Skills development must be a priority starting from primary education to tertiary institutions. Our region must invest in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to equip the workplace with skills that match labour market demands,” he said.

“Moreover, with the shift towards digital economies, we must ensure that our workforce is prepared for the future of work. Strengthening linkages between education systems and labour market needs becomes vital in this regard.”