‘VCTs must transform into socio-economic development hubs’
THERE is need for vocational training and national youth service centres to transform into bastions of socio-economic development so that youths can benefit from technical skills predicated on productivity and commercialisation.
This was said by Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocation Training Minister, Honourable Tino Machakaire during a four-day training workshop organised by his ministry in Mutare on Wednesday.
“Vocational Training Centres and National Youth Service Centres need to be pro-active and spearhead the youth empowerment and development process through vocational skills training with emphasis on productivity and commercialisation.
“The centres should raise their tempo and increase their incomes to self-sustain themselves and the ministry.
“VTC and NYS farms are an important resource for the ministry; they are entrepreneurial entities and source of products for export. Any head of a VTC or NYS centre without a calling of steering their institution into our expectations are free to relocate. We do not want to come and remove you for being incompetent. The same challenge goes to officials at district and provincial and head office.
“Let you not be viewed as the hindrance to our drive for youth empowerment,” he
said.
Minister Machakaire implored VTCs and NYS centres to transform into hubs for socio-economic development of the communities they are located.
“Tangible results delivery is not negotiable. Fully utilising our centres is a pragmatic way of reducing demand for drugs through entrepreneurial development of youths. Youths need funding, therefore, EmpowerBank should come up with funding models that are sustainable for their empowerment.
“Our strategic plans should incorporate all aspects recognising the whole of government approach. The role of the Zimbabwe Youth Council should be clear in your strategic plans for it is key in making youth associations have a productive inclination. ZYC plays an important role in the creation of special youth economic zones,” he said.
The four-day training workshop sought to proffer strategies that can transform VCTs and NYCs, develop provincial VTC and NYS strategic plans.
Acting communications and advocacy director in the Ministry, Mr Ranson Madzamba told The Manica Post in an interview, that the workshop was meant to design strategies to empower and develop young people.
“We are expected to come up with strategic performance plans for each province in the country.
“We should also come up with national youth service strategic performance plans for every province.
“The idea is to transform and make use of VCTs and NYS centres into bastions of youth empowerment and life skills acquisition for young people,” he said.