Be job creators and not job seekers

Chiradzulu, December 10, MANA: Graduating students from DAPP Mikolongwe vocational training have been urged to be job creators and not job seekers.

The call was made by National Project Coordinator for the Global Program on Skills and ProAgro Youth Project Malawi, Patrick Makondetsa at DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational Training in Chiradzulu on Tuesday when he presided over a graduation for students who have completed their training in crop and animal production but also in re-cycle, re-use and repair trainings.

He said the International Labour Organization (ILO) looks at improving quality apprenticeship so that they promote creation of jobs among the young people in both wage and self-employment.

“Now that you have finished your internship training expect us to follow you up and see what you are doing in your various communities and how you are applying the skills and knowledge acquired here. Make sure you bring an impact and change in your communities and display the skills and knowledge gained here at the institution.

“I am encouraging you that you need to get organized in groups so that you can tap whatever resources is coming your way. Usually it is easy to be supported when you are in groups other than individuals,” said Makondetsa.

He further explained that his organization expectations from the graduating students is to ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired would help them start their own businesses so that they be self-employed and self-reliant.

“With this programme we have reached out to 1,400 youths and our target was to reach about 1,500 youths, this means that we have almost reached 90 percent of our intended target,” he said.

Makondetsa said the International Labour Organization, Malawi office, works with different partners and are currently running two programmes namely; Global Program on Skills and Lifelong learning which is being funded by NORAD and the ProAgro Youth, which is being funded by IFAD.

“What we are doing now is a pilot program, we are trying to understand how we can reach out to communities and also for people who cannot go through the normal TEVET training programs.

“The main purpose is to ensure that youth and young people are able to gain the skills that will result in worth creation through wage or self-supporting employment,” explained Makondetsa.

Speaking in an interview, Country Director for Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi, Moses Chibwana said the trainings that the students undergo are vital for their communities and the country at large in as far as improving the country’s economy is concerned.

“The skills acquired here will not only accord the students wage employment or self-employment but also help in conserving the environment, looking at what they have gained from their Agriculture training. As DAPP we are honoured to be assisted with resources from ILO to train these youths. There are so many institutions who could have done this but we were chosen and do not take it for granted,” he said.

One of the students who was trained in crop and animal production, Brazio Manyamba, said the knowledge imparted to him in class was different from what he learnt at the farm. He said he has learnt a lot of skills on how to care for both crops and animals and that he will change and showcase his skills in his community.

“Before this training I used to help my parents in the farm and also run their business, but now once I get home I will concentrate on applying the skills I gained here. The good thing is that there is already land at home and will utilize it,” he said.

About 50 students graduated from the crop and animal production training and about 40 students graduated from the reuse, recycle and repair training. Youths from different districts of Nsanje, Phalombe, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Dedza, Thyolo and Mulanje were trained.