THE Government has launched the pilot apprenticeship programme in mining, agriculture, energy and tourism in different skills areas. More than 1, 000 will benefit from the pilot programme financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and TEVETA. 

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba launched the programme in Livingstone. The minister also launched the first-ever Critical Skills List to guide curriculum development, career choices and systems development. The  Critical Skills List highlights skills in demand for economic transformation and productivity. 

It was developed through the Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) methodology of the ILO. The methodology is an evidence-based approach to identifying skills in demand but in short supply and developing systems to develop such critical skills. 

Programmes under the pilot apprenticeship will be drawn from the Critical Skills List in alignment to industry skills needs. Mrs Tambatamba further unveiled three (3) Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) and Skills Strategies in agriculture, energy and tourism. The SSBs are platforms for identifying skills needs and develop solutions for specific industries. 

Speaking during the launch, the minister said sharpening the economy to reach the national target of $60 billion gross domestic product required relevant, competent and productive workforce.  “Transformative interventions we are witnessing today are critical in diversifying the economy. We are responding to mismatch between supply and demand of skills to create jobs and wealth.”

She said workforce competency and employability called for industry and training institutions to work together. “The pilot apprenticeship will be in both formal and informal enterprises in priority sectors. It builds on existing work-based learning systems to increase youth uptake in the workplace.” 

And Minister of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu said skills was the global currency that drives value for economic productivity. 

Dr. Habeenzu urged young people to take up skills programmes to increase their opportunities on the job market and entrepreneurial world. “We are in an era where the question is, what are you able to do and not what qualification do you have. That calls for a competent workforce.”

The pilot apprenticeship programme is strengthening work-based learning systems through a sector skills body platforms that harness companies’ interest in apprenticeship training.