Labour PS bemoans skills mismatch
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Lucky Kanyamula Sikwese has bemoaned the mismatch between skills acquired in training institutions and industry expectations.
Speaking during the opening of a two day Tevet forum in Lilongwe yesterday, Sikwese said there is need to train more instructors for the Tevet institutions to reduce this mismatch.
“The private sector is complaining that Tevet institutions are producing artisans who are irrelevant to them. It is obvious that there could be a number of reasons, however quality and quantity of teachers available in the institutions also play a crucial role in this equation,” he said.
According to Sikwese, government plans to establish a technical teachers college so that it reduces the shortage of instructors in community technical colleges.
“With the establishment of technical colleges in rural areas, the country needs Tevet teachers more than ever and this forum will enable the country to have the instructors who will address the shortages,’ said Sikwese.
Unesco regional director and representative Hubert Gijzen said the forum has come at an opportune time when the world has embarked on the second year of implementation of the new global agenda entitled: Transforming our World, the 2030 Agenda for Global action.
“Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals [SDG’s] represent the most ambitious and comprehensive commitment the international community has ever made to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice and protect the planet in the next 14 years,” said Gijzen.
He said they are focussing on Tevet because its develops skills vital for poverty reduction, private sector development, and job creation among others.
