The Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) has challenged graduates of vocational skills to work hard towards expanding their trades so that they employ other jobless youths.
Teveta director of training programmes Modesto Gomani, made the remarks on Friday, in Mzuzu during the graduation of young persons who have acquired skills in tailoring, fashion and design through a six-month course offered by the Citizen Impact Organisation (COI).
He said with young people forming a larger segment in the country’s population, the youth need to be in the forefront of fostering development.
Said Gomani: “We are engaging the youth in various skills development programmes because we want to leverage on the numbers that they have so that they actively participate in economic development activities. We encourage them to work in groups because there is a lot of synergy.
“We have partnered with a number of financial institutions to help provide loans to these youths so that businesses grow.”
Gomani said many youth need to access the skills, warning that the country will be creating a time bomb if it does not incorporate the youth into activities that can help take them out of poverty.
One of the graduands, Moses Mkandawire expressed optimism that the skills acquired will help them start independent lives. He urged many youths to join such trainings.
COI executive director Chimwemwe Banda said they plan to enrol the second cohort of the training beginning this month, but also retain four of the graduating students.
“These four will help in sewing reusable pads, school uniforms, and other materials which we sell as part of income-generating activities,” she said.
(Source: https://mwnation.com/artisans-challenged-to-create-jobs/)