Posted on 28 February, 2025 14:3
Graduate Tracer Study: Assessing Employability and Training Relevance in Zambia’s TEVET Sector
The Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) is pleased to announce the publication of the Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) Report, a pioneering assessment of the employability and career outcomes of TEVET graduates in Zambia. This study, conducted as a pilot project, focuses on graduates from the General Agriculture programme between 2021 and 2023.
As Zambia continues its journey towards becoming a prosperous middle-income nation, the role of technical and vocational training in equipping the workforce with essential skills cannot be overstated. The GTS was undertaken to provide evidence-based insights into how TEVET graduates transition into the job market, whether through formal employment, self-employment, or further education. By examining employment rates, job search durations, income levels, and the relevance of training to industry needs, the study highlights both achievements and areas for improvement in the TEVET sector.
Key Findings
The study revealed that fewer than 50% of graduates secured employment, while 35.2% were engaged in self-employment. Notably, males had higher employment rates than females, indicating gender disparities in job market access. Additionally, graduates with higher qualifications demonstrated a greater likelihood of securing jobs within shorter timeframes. Encouragingly, 88% of respondents found their training relevant to their current roles, although some emphasized the need for curriculum updates to reflect emerging technologies and labour market demands.
Despite these positive indicators, the study also uncovered challenges such as limited entrepreneurial support, low-income levels, and barriers to formal employment. Many graduates, particularly women, faced obstacles such as lack of access to capital, workplace inequalities, and inadequate industry exposure. These findings underscore the need for policy interventions to enhance TEVET training and improve graduate outcomes.
Recommendations for Strengthening TEVET in Zambia
To address the identified gaps, the report proposes several key recommendations:
- Curriculum Enhancement: Aligning training with modern industry demands, incorporating emerging agricultural technologies and business management skills.
- Entrepreneurship Support: Establishing funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and business incubation initiatives for self-employed graduates.
- Gender Inclusion Strategies: Developing policies that support women in overcoming societal and financial barriers to employment.
- Industry Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between TEVET institutions and employers to create more internship and job placement opportunities.
- Ongoing Graduate Tracing: Institutionalizing periodic graduate tracer studies to track long-term employment trends and inform policy decisions.
Looking Ahead
The GTS Report marks a significant milestone in TEVETA’s commitment to fostering a skilled, employable, and resilient workforce in Zambia. By leveraging the insights from this study, TEVETA aims to enhance training relevance, promote job creation, and support Zambia’s broader economic development agenda.
The full Graduate Tracer Study Report is now available on the TEVETA website on the link [Insert link to report]. Stakeholders, policymakers, educators, and industry partners are encouraged to review the findings and collaborate on actionable solutions to improve TEVET graduate outcomes.
For further inquiries, please contact us at teveta@teveta.org.zm or visit our website www.teveta.org.zm.
TEVETA Zambia 2025. (MOTS statutory agency)
