Vusumuzi Dube
Vocational training is a critical tool for breaking the cycle of poverty through equipping individuals with the skills needed to earn a living, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said this at the combined Bulawayo and Matabeleland North Provinces Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) graduation and prize-giving ceremony held at the Lobengula VTC on Thursday.
Minister Machakaire said the government has an ambitious plan to establish at least one vocational training centre in every district, including Metropolitan areas. A total of 2 864 youths graduated from VTCs in the region after acquiring skills in construction, engineering, applied arts, and agriculture.
“Vocational training provides a pathway out of this cycle by enabling individuals to earn a living and achieve financial stability. In addition to its economic benefits, inclusive vocational training fosters a sense of dignity and self-worth,” said Machakaire.
Currently, Matabeleland North has only one VTC, while Bulawayo hosts three. To address the disparity, the construction of a multi-purpose workshop at Sivomo VTC is 75 percent complete, a development that will enable youths from Nkayi district to access vocational training. Machakaire also highlighted ongoing efforts to secure land for additional centers in Lupane, Binga, and Hwange.
He said the government was also focusing on inclusivity, citing the rise in the enrolment of young persons with disabilities in VTCs, with Bulawayo taking the lead. “According to the World Health Organization, people with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty due to limited access to education, employment, and healthcare.
“By participating in training programmes at VTCs, these individuals often overcome societal stereotypes that depict them as dependent or incapable. This not only empowers them personally, but also challenges societal norms, paving the way for greater acceptance and inclusion,” he said.
Machakaire urged his ministry officials to prioritise infrastructure upgrades at VTCs, including organisations like Jairos Jiri, to ensure a supportive environment for trainees with disabilities.
He also highlighted the challenges that graduates face when transitioning to the workforce, saying Empowerbank stands ready to provide essential support to vocational training graduates through various programs and services.
There is need, he said, for collaboration between educational institutions, industries, development partners, and the private sector to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of vocational training.
Machakaire encouraged graduates to apply their knowledge and skills to create and enhance business ideas, contributing to Zimbabwe’s vision of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.
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