Embrace entrepreneurship, NGO tells artisans
There is Hope Youth Organisation in Dowa has asked the youth to embrace entrepreneurship as a substitute for employment.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony of 66 youths trained in various vocational skills at its centre at Dzaleka in Dowa on Friday, There is Hope programmes manager Catherine Chirwa told the graduates not to sit idle and wait for employment.
She said: “This marks the beginning of a new life for you, but if you go out and sit down waiting for someone to come and employ you, then you have missed it. Go out there, form groups and apply for loans and we will give you.”
Chirwa said her organisation offers vocational training to the youth free of charge, gives them start-up materials when they graduate and offers loans at one percent interest which they pay within 12 months.
Technical, Entrepreneurial, Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) senior training programmes specialist for informal sector Jordan Banda described the training as a milestone towards skills development.
He said the country’s technical training colleges cannot accommodate all youth who need such training as such, partners such as There is Hope complement government’s efforts.
Currently, the centre trains youth in bricklaying, carpentry, photography, tailoring and plans to introduce new courses such as auto-electrical installation.n
