Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati said there is need for Competence Based Training (CBET) in skills training to ensure that the graduates were adequately trained to contribute to national development.

Mr. Mutati said it was unfortunate that some students who were undertaking skills training that required hands-on learning did not have contact with equipment during their training, hence complaints from industry that they are unable to deliver despite their academic qualifications.

Speaking during the launch of TEVETA Revised Strategic Plan 2025 to 2027, Mr Mutati called on the authority to ensure that skills training was seriously monitored and training institutions were well equipped to deliver quality graduates.

He has tasked TEVETA to ensure that the curricula were revised to match the prevailing needs of the world and the learners were trained using modern equipment and investing in Information Communication Technology (ICT).

He said the relevance of the national workforce depends on responsive skills development systems. “TEVETA should ensure that training programmes are dynamic and are able to meet the demands of industry and compete favourably on the global platform. We need to invest in the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) sector for the country to achieve economic growth, for a long time the sector has lagged because of the old ways of doing things, whilst the world has evolved and so should training embrace technology by digitizing TEVET, “Mr Mutati said.

He challenged TEVETA to ensure that the Revised Strategic Plan was actualized. “Through the Revised Strategic Plan, ensure that the TEVET system produces a competent workforce and a cadre of job creators that drive township and community economic activities through innovation and enterprise.

Mr Mutati reaffirmed government’s commitment to providing the necessary policy support and an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the TEVETA Revised Strategic Plan.

And TEVETA Board chairperson, Ngoza Nkwabilo said the Revised Strategic Plan is a forward-looking document that aligns with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the New Dawn government’s aspirations for job creation, youth empowerment and sustainable economic growth.

Ms. Nkwabilo said it replaces the 2021–2026 strategic plan, which was developed under the Seventh

National Development Plan which reflects the evolving policy environment and the need for skills development strategies that respond to today’s national priorities.

“The thematic areas of this Revised Strategic Plan are centered on enhancing operational excellence by strengthening TEVETA’s capacity in international, organization for standardization (ISO) compliance, stakeholder collaboration, and TEVET regulatory service excellence.

Meanwhile TEVETA Director General, Cleophas Takaiza said the Revised Strategic Plan draws its clarity of purpose and strategic insights from key national and sectoral development priorities which include the 2020 TEVET Policy, the Digital Transformation Strategy, the 8NDP, Vision 2030, and other related frameworks.

Mr Takaiza commended German Development Cooperation (GIZ) for its generous support in financing the revision of this Strategic Plan and facilitating a wide-ranging stakeholder engagement process, a consultative approach which enriched the document, ensuring that it reflects the needs and ambitions of all key actors in the TEVET sector.

And GIZ Thrive Manager, Anna Kristina Kanathigoda said her organisation was hopeful that the TEVETA will ensure that the objectives of the Revised Strategic Plan are achieved especially in the promotion of Competence Based Training that will transform the TEVET sector.