Closing the Skills Gap for Employment
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Kafue, Zambia24 -- (October 30, 2025) — Zambia continues to face a growing youth unemployment crisis, largely driven by a mismatch between the skills young people possess and those demanded by the labor market.
Speaking during a training session for journalists at the Kafue Government Regional Training Centre (KGRTC), Christopher Nyirenda, Manager of TEVETA Funds, outlined the challenges confronting technical education and youth employment in the country.
Nyirenda observed that many youths enter the workforce without the practical and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed.
“Rapid technological advances in industries are not mirrored by the pace at which technical training programs are updated. This leaves young people inadequately prepared for modern workplaces,” he explained.
He further noted that limited hands-on training opportunities in communities, the reliance on foreign skilled labor, and the importation of finished goods undermine the development of locally relevant expertise.
“These factors often result in products that do not meet quality standards or market requirements,” Nyirenda said.
He also highlighted that inadequate TEVET facilities nationwide, coupled with limited commitment from some stakeholders to prioritize skills development, further constrain young people’s access to training and employment.
According to Nyirenda, the disconnect between education and industry needs is a central factor behind persistent youth unemployment in Zambia.
To tackle these challenges, TEVETA has introduced a comprehensive strategy to equip youth with employable skills and support wealth creation.
The authority provides guidance to the government on critical skill gaps, offers technical assistance to training institutions, and collaborates with stakeholders to periodically review and update curricula.
Additionally, mobile training programs are being rolled out to extend access to underserved and rural communities.
The TEVET Fund, established under the Skills Development Levy Act of 2016, serves as the primary mechanism for financing these initiatives. The Fund is supported through a 0.5% levy on gross emoluments collected from selected companies. The Zambia Revenue Authority collects the levy and transfers it monthly to the Treasury.
The Fund finances pre-employment training, employer-based in-service programs, SME and informal sector skills development, infrastructure improvements, curriculum upgrades, and capacity building for trainers and institutions.
Nyirenda noted that the Fund currently supports more than 12,800 students across 30 training providers nationwide.
This includes specialized mining skills programs at the Mopani Central Training Centre, as well as placements for 16 students in South Africa and 69 students in Zimbabwe.
He emphasized that TEVETA supports only registered institutions, certified trainers, and approved curricula that align with labor market needs. This ensures accountability and upholds quality standards throughout the sector.
The Fund operates according to principles of transparency, accountability, efficiency, risk management, timeliness, and public-private collaboration.
“Collaborations with stakeholders, including the media, are vital for raising awareness and ensuring that young people acquire the skills necessary to secure employment and generate wealth,” Nyirenda added.
Through these initiatives and the strategic application of the TEVET Fund, TEVETA aims to bridge the skills gap, enhance the quality of technical education, and prepare Zambian youth to make meaningful contributions to national economic growth.
These efforts also support Zambia’s broader industrialization and development objectives.
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