Minister of Labour Peter Dimba has stressed the need to train more youths in vocational education, saying technical skills play a critical role in driving personal empowerment and national development.
The minister said this at Chatoloma in Kasungu on Tuesday during a graduation ceremony for 455 youths in Technical Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) programmes in Kasungu North East Constituency.
Dimba said vocational skills help to achieve economic growth and create job opportunities through self-employment.
“Through this training, youths cannot only secure employment, but also become entrepreneurs and employ others by opening their own businesses, thereby contributing to national development,” he said.
The minister also said government’s plan to link the trainees to money lending institutions such as the National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) and banks is to provide them with necessary financing to start businesses.
In his address, Teveta board chairperson Pyoka Tembo said many youths in Malawi require vocational training to become responsible citizens.
He stressed the importance of on-the-job training tailored to the needs of local communities, to equip youths with relevant skills.
On his part, former member of Parliament for the constituency Paul Nkhoma expressed gratitude to government for approving the proposal to use part of the Constituency Development Fund to support the vocational skills initiative
