By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, September 9, Mana: For Malawi 2063 vision to be achieved, it requires a human resource that is driven by skills development processes in the formal and informal sector, this is according to the Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA).

The institution’s board chairperson, Pyoka Tembo said the major purpose of TEVETA is to contribute to human resource development through sustainable skills training and development.

“It is a regulatory body which was established in 1999 by an Act of Parliament.

“TEVETA's informal sector programme is aimed at equipping youth and disadvantaged groups in local communities with skills to enable them to become employable through wage or self-employment,” said Tembo.

Senzani Community Development Centre in Ntcheu is one such centre where informal apprentice skills are acquired.

The centre’s chairperson Elizabeth Zimpondera said various trades like carpentry and joinery, bricklaying, tailoring and fashion designing are offered to the youths in the community.

She disclosed that 138 girls and 117 boys have been products of the centre since 2015.

"The skills centre structure started with carpentry then tailoring and bakery. It is improving people's livelihoods in the rural areas and it is our wish to see this centre becoming a technical college," said Zimpondera and thanked TEVETA for refurbishing the facility after it got damaged due to cyclone Freddy induced floods in 2023.

Group Village Head Senzani hailed Tevet for refurbishing Senzani Community Skills Development Center and for offering various skills training to the people from his area.

He described the programme as part of capital for his people which can economically improve people's livelihoods in his area.

"We are a proud people, TEVETA has in fact given a form of capital to the students, the capital comes in different forms including skills acquisition," highlighted GVH Senzani.

Councilor Godfrey Chinkhota of Likudzi Ward said the centre has reduced travelling distances for people to acquire technical and vocational skills at Ntonda Technical College.

"TEVETA has brought technical and vocational training to the rural communities. In the past our youths had to travel a long way to Ntonda to acquire the skills and we do not take this for granted," said Chinkhota.

He has however asked TEVETA to have electricity connection and bring in electrical equipment for welding lessons and other trainings.

Patrick Benford and Triza Mluta who are graduates of the centre said life has become smoother with the tailoring and designing skills acquired from the place.

Ntcheu district Director of Education and Sports Dorothy Banda Masudi said the need for skills training to achieve the 2063 vision of self-reliance is very high.

"There are some youth who have not gone to colleges but have skills, so this is the way to go," said Masudi and commended TEVETA for the programme.

She observed that communities also need other training such as computers for more development in all the communities.