The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Farawo Sunday Mail Reporter
Two international banks and a tobacco processor have committed US$40 million to assist 61 000 vocational training centre graduates set up businesses. Metallon Gold and Montana Meats have also procured 5 000 head of cattle worth US$1 million as start-up for the agriculture graduates. Barclays Bank, AfrAsia and British American Tobacco (BAT) will disburse the US$40 million grant through the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.
In an interview, the minister, Cde Francis Nhema, said the programme focuses on skills development.
“We have agreed with these banks and BAT to support our graduates through the purchase of kits in the case of mechanics and farming, especially tobacco with regards to BAT. How can we indigenise and empower people without skills development?
“Some of the cattle are for dairy, and that milk will be processed like what is happening in Kwekwe, for example.
“That’s value addition as espoused under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.
“I am happy with the progress in VTCs because the impact is massive. These youths are getting work in various fields and putting food on their tables.”
Zimbabwe established 61 VTCs countrywide to equip youths with entrepreneurial skills. The centres — which teach at least 44 disciplines — each produces 1 000 graduates yearly.
Several companies are assisting them by providing training resources and employing some graduates. The initiative is expected to help cut high unemployment figures among the youth.
Human resources consultant Mr Taurai Musakaruka said it was good that the private sector has come on board.
“It will help in a big way because at least the private sector is now coming on board. We are also supporting employers not employees.”
Mr Caleb Garura, another human resources expert, said: “It is very important for the private sector and Government to come up with such initiatives.
“This will not only reduce unemployment but also curb social ills like crime and prostitution because our young people will have something to do.”
