Teveta moves to boost vocational skills training

Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education Training (Tevet) Authority has rolled out a mobile Tevet programme to take vocational training to areas without training colleges to enhance skills development.

Speaking in an interview during the launch in Dowa on Wednesday, Minister of Labour Vera Kumtukule said government is geared to ensure everyone has an opportunity to access vocational training to boost the country’s socio-economic development.

She said: “We have the Malawi 2063 which at the centre of it is the issue of skills and it is imperative that we produce skills that are anchoring our own development aspirations.

“But we have noted that many people are failing to access these vocational trainings. So, we want democratised access to skills to ensure that everyone that needs training can do so; hence, the reason for purchasing these mobile vans.”

In the programme, vans fully equipped with training essentials will be sent to areas where there are no training schools, where trainers will be offering training in carpentry and tailoring.

Teveta board chairperson Don Whayo said the vans in their modified state are worth over K200 million, but they plan to invest a further K20 million to K30 million on equipment.

He said the trainings are open to everyone willing to do so and Teveta is hopeful of providing quality training.

“The first priority was to get instructors that have quality knowledge they can impart to the trainees.

“We believe we have done enough to ensure this for our prospect trainees,” said Whayo.

So far, the programme has started with three vans, one each for the country’s three regions. The vans will serve an area for at least three months before moving to another area.

Annually, the three vans are expected to offer training to around 1 200 people.