TEVETA has launched the 2021 to 2026 Strategic Plan. The Plan was launched by the Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary (PS), Ms. Kayula Siame. The development of the Strategic Plan utilised several relevant national programmes and agendas to deduce a sense of direction towards the development of technical and vocational skills for Zambia. Among policy documents and legal frameworks that informed the development of the Strategic Plan included:

1) Vision 2030

2) Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) 2017 to 2021

3) TEVET Strategy Paper of 1996

4) TEVET Policy of 1996 and National TEVET Policy of 2020

5) Higher Education Policy of 2019,

6) TEVET Act No. 13 of 1998 and TEVET Amended Act No. 11 of 2005

7 ) Skills Development Levy Act No. 46 of 2016

8 ) Zambia Qualifications Act No. 13 of 2011

9) The Higher Education Act No. 04 of 2013

10) National Science and Technical Policy of 1996

11) National Youth Policy of 2015, among others.

Speaking when she officially launched the Strategic Plan. Ms. Siame emphasized that the development and implementation of Strategic Plans was a critical pillar of the Results Based Management, which focused on outputs and outcomes rather than inputs and processes.

"The 7NDP, which is the country’s blue-print for development, has envisioned a prosperous middle-income economy that offers decent employment opportunities for all Zambians regardless of their background. Government has recognised that adequate education and skills can improve the employability of workers, raise the productivity of enterprises and promote the inclusiveness of economic growth. This realisation is being demonstrate by the ongoing policy. I am sure you are all aware that just at the end of last year (2020)."

"All this work is being done to drive the changes necessary to meet development challenges in the economy. As you may have observed, the revised policy is broad in scope and outreach and is underpinned by efforts to bring the world of education and training and the world of work closer together. The realisation of VISION 2030 is anchored upon maximizing on the catalytic role of education and training in socio-economic development."

She said COVID-19 came with force and unpredictability, which dragged all sectors and industries to unprecedented and uncertain situations. "Companies and organisations reacted, but most were far from being prepared. Education and training activities were disrupted and it will take a long time to recover. I wish to call on TEVETA to move with speed to develop and promote alternative modes of teaching and learning. There is urgent need to bridge the digital divide in access to TEVET provision. I also wish to call upon training provider to invest in developing their capacity so that they can all play effectively play their part in ensuring that we transform Zambia to a globally competitive and prosperous Nation through provision of quality skills."

She added that "without skills, one can't effectively participate in the economy. Entrepreneurship training embedded in the TEVET offers opportunities for developing job creators & efficiency skilled persons. TEVET is key in developing apt skills for the future jobs that include robotics, artificial intelligence & other skills necessary to the 4th Industrial Revolution. E-learning should be integrated to the TEVET sector."

And TEVETA Director General, Mr. Cleophas Takaiza said "this Strategic Plan is mainly based on national aspirations as espoused in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education and skills training. The 7NDP prioritises TEVET with a view to impart quality skills for youth employability, for actualisation of decent work and entrepreneurship, gender disparity elimination and increase access to skills and education especially by the vulnerable. Therefore, the objectives and performance indicators in this Strategic Plan have been developed after an extensive literature review and taking into consideration inputs from consultations with clients and stakeholders in skills development."

Mr. Takaiza added that the Strategic Plan provided a road map to effective regulation of TEVET which should to lead to competitiveness, increased productivity, value addition and as well as job creation. "This strategic plan has been formulated to achieve total commitment to placing TEVET at the centre stage of socio-economic development of Zambia and minimise inequalities among the people."

"The strategic plan has been laid out based on three Strategic themes, namely;

1) Operational Excellence (effective and efficient service delivery)

2) Stakeholder Collaboration (effective programme implementation resulting into satisfied stakeholders)

3) TEVET Regulatory Service Excellence (adequate and skilled labour force)."

"The success of this Strategic Plan will also depend on each of the stakeholders playing their role in creating a vibrant and robust TEVET system. It leverages on strengthened collaboration with industry; synergies between government agencies including those responsible for the growth of entrepreneurs/MSMEs; and those responsible for Research and Development (R&D) so that policy and decision making in TEVET is based on empirical evidence."

"At this point, may I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the support that we have continued to enjoy from our cooperating partners, who include but not limited to, the EU, ILO, GiZ, Irish Aid, the ADfB. They have supported us in our effort to promote a green TEVET system that responds to the challenges that have come with climate change."

The Zambia Statistics Agency estimates that more than 5.5 million of Zambia’s population is the youth. About 1.4 million of the youth population are unemployed and lack skills for self-employment. Demand for skills training will continue to go up. The national TEVET Policy of 2020, has thus identified TEVET as a vehicle for improved productivity through industrialisation and value addition. For the country to attain Vision 2030, it needs highly skilled and competent citizens especially women, youths and marginalised groups.

"It is for this reason that this plan will leverage on advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to promote effective and efficient service delivery," noted Mr. Takaiza.