STAKEHOLDERS from February 2 to 6, 2026 to validate the strategic roadmap for the establishment of polytechnics and targeted skills development interventions critical to Zambia’s economic transformation.

The consultative workshop focused on aligning skills development with national priorities, including increasing maize production to 10 million metric tonnes, scaling beef exports to US$1 billion, rolling out 2MW solar power plants under the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative and converting Nkumbi College into Centres of Excellence in agriculture.

The engagement was anchored in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), the transition to the Ninth National Development Plan and the long-term aspirations of Vision 2030.

Speaking during the workshop, Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, described the establishment of polytechnics as a strategic national intervention to align skills development with the country's economic transformation agenda.

He noted that Zambia’s working-age population is projected to exceed 12 million by 2030, although TEVET systems absorbed less than 15% youths annually.

“Without urgent reform, this demographic advantage risks becoming a liability through unemployment rather than productivity,” Dr. Habeenzu said.

He explained that polytechnics will institutionalise structured partnerships with industry, ensuring training was competency-based, demand-driven and job-ready. "Through Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), graduates will acquire measurable workplace skills aligned to employer needs, reducing retraining costs and improving employability."

He further highlighted the strategic role of polytechnics as a policy instrument to close skills mismatches, strengthen industry-aligned training, and support national skills priorities in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction, energy, ICT and emerging technologies.

Mumbwa and Chapula Polytechnics are under construction. Mumbwa Polytechnic will specialise in animal management and livestock production to strengthen national capacity across livestock value chains while Chapula Polytechnic will focus on mining programmes. Chapula Polytechnic is being constructed through a partnership between the Government and Kagem Mining Limited.

Existing institutions will be upgraded to polytechnics to support priority sectors. These include Northern Technical College (NORTEC) to strengthen mining, copper processing and critical minerals development in line with the national target of producing three million metric tonnes of copper annually.

Kabwe Institute of Technology will focus on electric vehicle battery technologies, agricultural mechanisation and irrigation systems, while Evelyn Hone College will support pharmaceutical production and health-sector manufacturing.

The Livingstone Institute for Business and Engineering Studies (LIBES) will enhance tourism, hospitality and business services as key pillars of economic diversification.

Dr. Habeenzu noted that the partnership model demonstrated at Chapula Polytechnic (which included equipment provision, curriculum co-design, instructor secondment and structured apprenticeships) will be replicated across mining, agriculture, energy, manufacturing and construction sectors. He added that the polytechnics will operate under strengthened governance and performance-based management frameworks, with industry representation on governing councils and outcome-based financing models.

Dr. Habeenzu emphasised that agricultural transformation required specialised skills in irrigation, mechanisation, animal health, breeding, post-harvest handling and climate-smart practices. He stressed the need for decentralised, community-level training supported by modern equipment and skilled trainers.

He further said the country's energy transition demanded artisans, technicians and technologists trained in solar installation, maintenance and energy management to support the nationwide rollout of 2MW solar power plants.

And the TEVETA Board Chairperson, Ngosa Chibesakunda Nkwabilo said the country had a clear measurable national targets that provided a strong basis for planning, accountability and performance measurement.

Mrs. Nkwabilo said the stakeholder engagement workshop marked a shift from policy discussions to practical implementation, ensuring skills planning directly supports economic growth and job creation. She urged stakeholders to define their roles clearly and produce realistic, actionable roadmaps.

She said the main objectives of establishing polytechnics are (i) to address skills mismatches and improve workforce relevance by aligning skills development with current and emerging labour market needs (ii) to operationalise and scale up CBET through focused investment in modern curricula, state-of-the-art equipment, trainer upskilling, robust assessment systems, and strengthened quality assurance frameworks and (iii) to enhance workforce employability and job readiness through the acquisition of practical, work-ready competencies anchored on strengthened Work-Based Learning and industry-led assessment.

"It also seeks (iv) to develop specialised technical and technological skills in key growth sectors such as manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, energy, ICT, and emerging technologies — sectors that are essential for job creation and wealth generation and (v) to strengthen the national supply of mid-level and higher technical skills that are indispensable for value addition, innovation, and industrial productivity".

Mr. Nkwabilo said those interventions would build relevant capacity within the TEVET system to deliver high-quality outcomes, while generating scalable models that can be replicated nationwide to enhance national competitiveness and accelerate economic transformation, supported by a competent, adaptable, and productive workforce.

Meanwhile, the TEVETA Director General, Cleophas Takaiza said the workshop was convened to develop practical, well cost and implementable roadmaps for transforming selected institutions into polytechnics and centres of excellence.

He emphasised that government policy pronouncements must be matched with clear plans, including infrastructure assessments, staffing requirements and capacity development strategies.

Mr. Takaiza noted that institutions such as Nkumbi College must clearly define their existing capacities, infrastructure gaps, equipment needs and industry linkages required to become centres of excellence, particularly in agriculture and beef production.

He urged participants to ensure that outcomes of the workshop translate into immediate action, especially for initiatives that do not require external financing, and reaffirmed TEVETA’s commitment to aligning its Strategic Plan up to 2027 with national development priorities.

The Stakeholder Consultative Workshop marks a critical step in aligning Zambia’s skills development system with national development priorities. Strengthening polytechnics and establishing robust partnerships with industry, the country is positioning itself to build a competent, productive and adaptable workforce capable of accelerating agricultural productivity, energy security, industrialisation and the attainment of Vision 2030.