Minister of Technology and Science Honourable Felix Mutati says investing in specialized training and certification was empowering the workforce with relevant skills for productivity, competitiveness and project safety and quality.

Mr Mutati said government prioritised skills development for sustained development driven by deliberate collaborations in skills development and safeguarding  workers’ welfare. Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Memoranda of Understanding between TEVETA, Workers Compensation Control Board and Alfred H. Knight,  Mr. Mutati partnership underscored the shared vision to elevate technical capabilities, promote best practice and create opportunities for the young professionals.

In a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Technology and Science Director Planning and Information Derrick Saboi, Mr. Mutati said the signing of the MoU between TEVETA and Alfred H Knight (AHK) in coded welding was a testament of government's commitment to equipping the youth with the skills necessary to compete in the global economy.

Mr Mutati said the partnership marks a significant step forward in the collective efforts to enhance skills development, foster innovation and strengthen the manufacturing industry, coded welding is a vital component of the nation’s infrastructure and industrial growth. “I want to commend TEVETA for consistently pushing the boundaries of quality assurance, curriculum improvement and stakeholder engagement, your leadership ensures that our training institutions remain aligned to industry needs, “Mr Mutati said.

He applauded Alfred H. Knight for willingly investing in technology transfer, practical training and exposure to global standards, which demonstrated the critical role private sector played in shaping a skilled and future-ready workforce. Mr. Mutati said for the first time, the country was designing and implementing a tailored compensation framework for learners participating in Work-Based Learning (WBL) to ensure students were protected during job-on-training (OJT) in workplaces

“Through joint training programmes, TEVETA and Workers Compensation Control Board will provide pathways for injured and disabled workers to re-enter the workforce or engage in entrepreneurship adding that no worker will be left behind after injury.”

And TEVETA Board chairperson Ngoza Nkwabilo said the MoU with Alfred H Knight focuses on Coded Welding, which was a critical skill in various industries including manufacturing, construction and energy.

Mrs. Nkwabilo said Coded Welding was a technical requirement and cornerstone to design integrity in adherence to internationally recognised welding codes. “Every joint done by a coded welder must meet stringent safety and durability standards. This level of precision minimises structural failures, reduces costly rework and guarantees compliance with global benchmark, ultimately elevating Zambia’s competitiveness in engineering and manufacturing projects.”

Meanwhile, Workers Compensation Control Board Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Siampwili said the MoU was a strategic mechanism that leveraged the strengths of both institutions the practical expertise and regulatory insights.

And Alfred H. Knight Technical Services Manager Nkathazo Mzyece said the MoU signified a formal agreement that represented a commitment to collaboration, innovation and the sharing of knowledge and embodies the institutions collective ambition to equip Zambian youth with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

Meanwhile, TEVETA Director General Cleophas Takaiza said the main objective of the MoU with Alfred H. Knight was to support skills development, knowledge transfer and industry-led training in the areas of coded welding which skill has been lacking on the labour market.

Mr. Takaiza explained that the partnership with Workers Compensation and Control Board was another milestone towards developing an insurance framework for students on the job-on-training, promote occupation health and safety, enhance skills development, support the rehabilitation and reintegration of injured and disabled workers through TEVET.