Skills Power Zambia’s Future
By Francis Maingaila
Kafue, Zambia24 --- October 30, 2025) -- The Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) has called on the media to help reshape public perception about technical and vocational education (TVET), emphasizing that skills training is not for school dropouts but a vital and dignified pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, and national development.
Director General Cleophus Takaiza told journalists during a media engagement workshop in Kafue that Zambia’s future depends on how well the nation positions skills development to empower citizens.
He said the government, under President Hakainde Hichilema, continues to stress that skills development forms the foundation for achieving the country’s economic transformation agenda as outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP). Without a skilled and competent workforce, Zambia cannot achieve industrialization, job creation, or economic diversification.
“Skills development is not a fallback for those who fail to go to university. It is an equal and important pathway that produces the people who make our daily lives possible — from those who prepare our food and clean our spaces, to those who manufacture, repair, and build,” Takaiza said.
He noted that many Zambians still underestimate the value of skills training, often viewing it as a second option rather than a strategic choice for professional and entrepreneurial success.
“Imagine if there was no skills training in this country; life would be complicated. Every profession depends on skilled individuals — from the driver who brought you here to the technicians operating this sound system. Skills make dreams come true,” he said.
Takaiza described the media as a vital partner in transforming perceptions and promoting the value of TVET, noting that journalists have the power to influence public attitudes and encourage young people to see skills training as a credible and rewarding career path.
> “You are the voice that shapes how people think and what they aspire to. We need you to amplify our message — that skills training is not for failures but for innovators, creators, and doers,” he said.
The TEVETA chief highlighted flexible training pathways designed to make skills education accessible to all Zambians, including those already working or running businesses. Learners no longer need to enroll full-time in colleges to acquire a skill.
“Through modular and short-term programs, people can learn at their own pace and progress gradually toward full qualifications,” he explained.
“We recognize that those in the informal sector depend on daily work for survival, so we are providing flexible learning options that meet their needs.”
He added that TEVETA now recognizes and certifies skills gained through informal learning and apprenticeships, ensuring that individuals who acquire knowledge on the job are formally acknowledged for their competencies.
To enhance quality and relevance, Takaiza said TEVETA has introduced a Competence-Based Training (CBT) system that emphasizes practical demonstration of skills rather than theoretical examinations.
“We want our graduates to be assessed based on what they can do, not just what they can write,” he said.
“This ensures our graduates are work-ready and able to perform efficiently whether they join formal employment or start their own businesses.”
The CBT system will be gradually implemented across selected programs, with industry participation in both training and assessment.
Takaiza announced the establishment of Sector Skills Advisory Committees across major industries, including mining, agriculture, tourism, and construction, to ensure training programs match labor market needs.
“In the mining sector, for example, we work closely with the Chamber of Mines to identify key skill gaps and align our training to meet real industry needs,” he said. “The same approach is being applied in tourism, agriculture, and other sectors.”
He expressed optimism that similar structures would soon be introduced in the media sector to align journalism and communication training with emerging professional and digital skills requirements.
TEVETA continues to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the TEVET Fund, which pools resources from the private sector to support training infrastructure, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship programs.
“Some of our most inspiring success stories come from young people who once struggled in their communities but became entrepreneurs after taking TEVETA-accredited short courses,” he said. “Such stories must be told widely to motivate others to take advantage of these opportunities.”
Takaiza encouraged the media to highlight success stories from the TVET sector to inspire unemployed youth to consider technical and vocational education as a stepping stone to economic empowerment.
He also emphasized the importance of using skills training to promote value addition and reduce Zambia’s dependence on imported goods.
“Instead of exporting raw gemstones, we can train our people to cut, polish, and turn them into ornaments locally,” he said. “That way, we create jobs and generate more revenue for our economy.”
He highlighted TEVETA’s ongoing partnerships with industries and development partners to bridge skills gaps and promote innovation, citing collaborations with local institutions such as Northern Technical College and companies like AfriNite to introduce specialized training in emerging fields.
TEVETA is also implementing the Skills Development Fund and the TVET Reform and Expansion Project, supported by international partners including the European Union, to strengthen skills delivery, regulatory excellence, and workforce competence.
In his closing remarks, Takaiza urged journalists to continue supporting TEVETA’s awareness campaign by producing stories that promote a positive image of technical education and inspire youth to enroll in vocational programs.
“We want young people to see TVET as a first-choice option, not a last resort. Let us stop forcing individuals into careers they don’t enjoy. Those who are practically talented should be encouraged to develop and perfect their skills — because our economy depends on their productivity,” he said.
He appealed to government, the private sector, the media, and citizens to work together in building a Skilled Zambia, where no one is left behind.
“The future of our nation’s economy depends on how we position skills development to empower our people. Let us all — government, industry, media, and citizens — view skills development as a shared national priority,” he concluded.
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