Minister of Technology and Science Honourable FELIX MUTATI has disclosed that in 2023, more than 14, 000 out-of-school youths, Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and informal sector operators have benefited from the Skills Empowerment Programme.

Mr. Mutati said Government recognizes the importance of private sector participation in economic development and developing relevant skills for improved productivity and competitiveness among out-of-school youths, SMSMEs and informal sector operators.
Speaking at the TEVETA end of year media breakfast in Lusaka, Mr. Mutati said the informal sector was one of the biggest employers where entrepreneurial skills and innovations were utilised. 

The Minister said to improve quality in skills, TEVETA was enhancing collaborations and partnerships with different stakeholders to ensure skills development programmes remained relevant and responsive to socio-economic demands.

 
Mr. Mutati also announced that Zambia has won the bid to host the skills competitions for Africa (WSA 2025), which will be held in Livingstone in March 2025. He said the objective of hosting and participating in international skills competitions was to raise the profile of TEVET and skilled people as well as to showcase the importance that skills played in national and personal development. Zambia is a member of the World Skills International (WSI), which is the global platform for skills excellence.

Meanwhile TEVETA Board chairperson NGOZA NKWABILO said TEVETA was positive that industry and stakeholder contributions to the skills development value chain were critical in the creation of a robust and responsive TEVET system. 

During the event TEVETA and the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance quality in skills development in the TEVET sector.

EIZ President Eng. ABEL NG’ANDU said the MOU would also raise the character and status of the engineering profession and allied disciplines, to promote honourable and good practice and increase the confidence of the communities and labour market.

And TEVETA Director General CLEOPHAS TAKAIZA said working with industry, employers and other stakeholders was the main means to make TEVET relevant. He said TEVETA was committed to develop strategic partnerships with industry to critically align TEVET programmes with the ever-changing demands of the job market.

Giving a vote of thanks former student from Lusaka Youth Resource Centre, Melody Mubuyaeta who is living with hearing impairment thanked government for the TEVET scholarship which enabled her to pursue a course in food production which has enabled her get employed at Shoprite chain store in the Food Production Section.