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Teveta boosts skills development

Technical , Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (Tevet) Authority has unveiled plans to provide bursaries amounting to $5 million (about K5 billion) to 5 000 students in formal Tevet institutions under the Skills for Vibrant Economy (Save) project.

Speaking during a stakeholder sensitisation meeting in Blantyre on Tuesday, Tevet Authority executive director Elwin Sichiola said through the Ministry of Labour, the Authority is implementing the Save project, which among others, will finance a bursary scheme for 5 000 youths nationwide.

He said the inclusive bursary scheme aims to encourage student enrolment in science and technology-related courses in Tevet institutions.

Said Sichiola: “The bursary will target potential and existing students in all registered formal Tevet institutions. These include national public and private technical colleges, and community technical colleges , including community skills development centres both in regular programmes who intend to enroll in science and technology-based Tevet courses.

“But emphasis will be on females, vulnerable youths and people with disabilities enrolling in regular Teveta-sponsored apprenticeship programme.”

He encouraged the participants to support the initiative by sensitising relevant stakeholders in their respective areas.

“We believe through this bursary scheme, we will be able to increase enrollment of women in Tevet, which is currently low. We will, therefore, rely on you to pass on this information,” said Sichiola.

Ministry of Labour principal quality assurance officer Jeremiah Kaonga called for collaboration to ensure that the project is a success.

The Gov e r nment of Malawi with support from the World Bank is implementing the Save project at an estimated cost of $100 million (about K100 billion) through the International Development Association financing, targeting higher education institutions and Tevet sector.

Ministry of Labour through the Teveta is implementing the Tevet component of the Save project with a proposed budget of $32.3 million (about K33 billion ) out which about K5 billion is for the inclusive bursary facility.

The project, which is expected to run over a period of five years from 2021 to 2025, aims to increase equitable access to market-relevant skills in priority areas of the economy, especially for females and vulnerable youth in agriculture, skills and education, health, ICT, industry and energy.

The meeting, which targeted 40 district council representatives and technical colleges principals from the Southern Region was aimed at disseminating information about the Save project and the Save Bursary Scheme. Similar meetings have been held in Central and Northern regions.

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