TEVETA, Kagem Mining Limited and Industrial Training Centre have signed a tripartite skills training contract for Earthmoving Equipment Operators that the mining company.

TEVETA Director General, Cleophas Takaiza said the K1.12 million training contract will benefit 300 employees at Kagem Mining Limited to increase production levels in the sector. "The training contract signed today addresses skills shortage in operator, which has arisen due to high demand of the skills in construction, agriculture and mining sectors. We have a misconception that no institution has capacity to undertake operator training in the TEVET sector, but the contract being signed today dispels that misconception. A mining giant like Kagem sigining this tripartite contract shows the level of confidence in the training institutions like Industrial Training Centre." 

He added that Earth Moving Operators were very important in the mining sector. "The growth of the mining sector and the construction sector has created a critical shortages in Earth Moving Operators. We are pleased that the Industrial Training Centre is signing taking up the space to address the skills gap in this area. We will continue supporting other institutions through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) in training for employability, productivity and efficiency." 

Kagem Mining Ltd Head of Human Resources Dr. Wesley Chishimba stated that contracted signed was very critical to the productivity of Kagem Mining. "The training will result into competent operators equipped with safety and efficient use of heavy equipment. Putting an operator on a machine which he cannot operator has a direct implication on output."

Dr. Chishimba said partnerships were very important in meeting skills needs because a competent employee is very productive. 

And Industrial Training Centre Principal encouraged other companies to participate in skills development through Employer Based Training as contributors to the SDF. He said the training will be site-based where trainers from Industrial Training Centre will undertake training at Kagem Mining. "The employees will be trained on the actual equipment used in the mines." 

The TEVET sector is one of the important sectors Government has prioritised to support economic growth and poverty alleviation, facilitate the transition of young people to decent work and adulthood,  improve the productivity of existing workers and allow for the reinsertion of the unemployed into work. The Government has committed to increase copper production from the current 800, 000 tonnes to over 3 million tonnes by 2026. To achieve this goal, many factors are at play. One of the key factors is relevant skills required by the mining sector. The main vision is for the mining sector to increase productivity. Skills profile is needed now and in future is a priority to achieve national vision for the mining sector.

Government through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) provides financing for priority sectors in line with 8NDP, Government Young Agenda and Economic Vision. Priority skills include a) Mining Sector: The targeted growth in the mining sector requires adequate and appropriate skills to achieve them. Artisans, technicians and technologists are strategic resource to the mining sector in meeting the copper production of 3 million tonnes targets of the country by 2026. Without the right skills, the targets are not likely to be achieved; b) Small Scale Mining Sector: Artisanal miners’ contribution to the national copper production requires relevant skills to drive the production process. The artisanal miners have a big role in play in the achievement of the national copper production targets. They need right and adequate skills to drive productivity in their sector. The TEVET sector is the engine for the artisanal sub- mining sector

c) Water Sector: To require relevant skills in the water sector to address the sector’s needs. These skills include rainy harvesting/water recycling, and other innovations in water management; and d)  Green Economy: Climate change is remained a challenge to our development agenda. We need to develop green skills and innovations to meet climate change induced challenges such power supply, waste management, water scarcity, among others.