Invest in VTCs: Kunzekweguta

PROMINENT Bulawayo businessman and educationist Mr Clemence Kunzekweguta says there is a need for Government and local authorities to invest more in the setting up of Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) so as to enable academically challenged youths to attain the requisite skills to sustain their livelihoods.

In his remarks at a graduation ceremony at Our Lady of Fatima Bulawayo Parish Youth Council in Mpopoma recently, Mr Kunzekweguta said there was a need to prepare youths that would have failed academically for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities.

“The problem with our education sector is that it only looks at educating children for the formal sector and this has made many youths to think that failing academically spells the end of the road for their careers. The responsible authorities should make sure that VTCs are rehabilitated so as to allow them to deliver their full potential,” he said.

Vocational education is traditionally non-academic in nature and is totally related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation.

“It is important to note that our country’s economy is functioning because of the informal sector and youths may contribute more to its (economy) turnaround through being involved in projects such as carpentry, welding, building among others and this can only be achieved by imparting them with requisite skills and through exposing them to VTCs,” said Mr Kunzekweguta.

Demand for vocational professionals is required more than ever in various industries such as retail, tourism, information technology, funeral services and cosmetics, as well as in the traditional crafts and cottage industries.

“We have to valorise VTCs and ensure that career guidance is not only limited towards formal sectors but also involves the informal sector so that when our youths fail to make it on the academic front they can always look up to VTCs for skills development so as to play a part in the development of the country’s economy,” said Mr Kunzekweguta.

Until the end of the 20th century, the aim of vocational education was to focus on specific trades such as automobile mechanic or welder and was therefore associated with the activities of lower social classes. Because of this, it attracted a level of stigma. Vocational education, in fact, is closely related to the age-old apprenticeship system of learning.

Over 50 youths received certificates for completing their courses at Our Lady of Fatima Bulawayo Parish Youth Council.