TEVETA has today signed contracts with 24 companies to up-skill 1,297 employees at a total cost of K15.2 million. The Employer Based Training contracts were signed under the TEVET Fund using proceeds from the Skills Development Levy (SDL).

Speaking during the signing ceremony, TEVETA Acting Director General, Ocean Matimba said Employer-Based Training financing increases workforce employability to drive economic growth, job and wealth creation, productivity and competitiveness.

Mr Matimba said TEVETA is implementing skills upgrading programmes to improve workforce productivity and efficiency through tailored up-skilling programmes.

He said up-skilled employees help companies to remain relevant to the world of work and sustain productivity by equipping employees with relevant skills to mitigate redundancies due to skill obsolescence.

“We believe working with industry, employers and other stakeholders will bridge skills gaps by ensuring that skills that are missing are prioritized in curriculum development and training delivery value chain. We are committed to developing strategic partnerships with industry leaders whose invaluable input is critical in aligning TEVET programmes with the ever-changing demands of the job market and entrepreneurial world” Mr Matimba said.

He urged other companies to participate in Employer-Based Training as well as provide industry placements for trainers to improve their abilities to deliver training effectively.

Mr Matimba said the Government had placed premium on TEVET, which required collective efforts in the development of a relevant, competitive and productive workforce in line with the 8NDP, Vision 2030 and other sectoral economic development aspirations.

The 24 companies include Zambeef, Zesco Limited, ZAMEFA, Africa Supermarket, Chamba Valley, Choppies, Garden Court, Gs Cash, Kansai Plascon, Madson General, Madison Life, Mercury Express, Micmar, Mika Hotel, Mika Lodge and Mika Meats, MM Integrated, Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Neelkanth Sarovar, Presecure, Quantum Foods, Ross Breeders, Sonar, Saro Agro, G4s Secure and Classecon.

He added that the training institutions that have partnered with these companies are Northern Technical College (NORTEC), Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) and Rising East Training Institute (RETI) and the programmes include energy, mining, food safety, logistics such as warehousing and soft skills programmes for lower, middle and senior management in the companies.

And speaking on behalf of the training institutions NORTEC Principal Martin Kasonso said the Employer-Based Training has helped the institution to advance the training systems as well as helped build industrial relationship growth.

Mr Kasonso urged companies to take advantage of such programmes to enhance the skills of their employees.