By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, May 22, Mana: About 263 youths have graduated from an agro-food processing course at the Nkhwazi Community Skills Development Centre (CSDC) in Mchinji as part of equipping rural youth with essential skills for the agribusiness sector.

Implemented under the informal sector, the agro-food processing course targeted both literate and illiterate rural youth and was supported by GOPA-AFC under the GIZ EYA! ATVET youth employment project.

Assistant Registrar in the Ministry of Labour's Department of Technical and Vocational Training, Anderson Balaka, expressed his admiration for the graduates.

"It is impressive to see these students graduating, which signifies that they will, one day, be able to stand alone.

"For the country to develop, there is need for a lot of skilled labour and the ministry is committed to establishing many skills centres to reach more youths,” he said.

GIZ EYA! ATVET's Youth Skills Development Advisor, Ackim Kress, elaborated on the importance of community-based initiatives in driving change and development.

"We believe that change and development start in the communities, and over 50 percent of the population are youth,” he said.

Kress added that as the project comes to an end this year, they have already trained over 6,000 youths in the country in agribusiness courses.

One of the graduates, Chancy Elisa from Traditional Authority Mavwere was happy to have come out with skills.

"I am impressed with the course as we have learned how to make different kinds of food. The skills I have acquired will help me in establishing a business and becoming self-reliant,” said Elisa.

Nkhwazi CSDC, besides the Agro-food Processing course, also offers vocational training in fashion and design, carpentry and joinery, tailoring, and electrical work.