Masvingo starts upgrading vocational training centres

GOVERNMENT has started upgrading all vocational training centres (VTCs) in Masvingo as part of efforts to increase enrolment of students across the province.

The move was in line with a new thrust by Government to transform the lives of unemployed people by equipping them with skills to start self-help income generating projects.

Deputy director for Skills Development in the Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs Mrs Christine Chideme said on Wednesday the upgrading of existing VTCs would create employment opportunities for thousands of people, particularly in marginalised rural communities.

“We used to train a few people at a time because of limited facilities and resources,” she said.

“The upgrading of VTCs in Masvingo and other provinces will include building more rooms for accommodation, halls and ablution facilities for trainees.’’

Mrs Chideme said the development complemented Government’s plans to revive the economy through creating employment.

“We encourage trainees to form cooperatives upon completion of their courses so that it will be easier for the Ministry (of Women and Youth Affairs) to finance their projects,” she said.

“Technical skills training equips students to make their own products instead of buying them locally or importing them.’’

Masvingo provincial development officer in the ministry Mr Joseph Mupinga said the move to upgrade VTCs would lead to a significant drop in vices such as crime and prostitution, especially among the youths.

“Instead of using illegal means to get money, women and youths across the province will be trained to be self-reliant through income-generating projects,” he said.

“The truth of the matter is that law enforcement agents are battling to scale down crime in both urban and rural areas and skills training is the right solution to end the scourge.’’

Mr Mupinga appealed to Government to make sure each of the seven administrative districts in Masvingo Province had a VTC to reduce the distance travelled by students to acquire technical skills.

He said there was also need for the parent ministry to increase the number of VTCs so that trainees in the seven districts of Masvingo would not travel longer distances to access training.

There are only four functional VTCs in Masvingo Province — Masvingo Urban VTC, Roger Howman, Mushagashe and Gutu VTCs.

Courses offered at the VTCs include carpentry and joinery, hairdressing, bricklaying, cutting and designing, woodwork and wielding.