Professor Paul Mavima
AS Zimbabwe grapples with the question of how to achieve Vision 2030 with all its sub-components, which include achieving inclusive growth of the economy, rural transformation through industrialisation and the eradication of poverty, special attention should be paid to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a tool for catapulting the nation to realise the vision.
Globally, it has been realised that having an effective TVET system is a sine qua non (essential condition) for driving sustainable economic growth, reducing poverty, boosting employment and promoting innovation and productivity.
Importance of TVET
Zimbabwe’s workforce, despite the country having one of Africa’s highest literacy rates, faces significant challenges in employability. A heavy focus on theoretical academic education has left many graduates unprepared for the practical demands of industries.
Meanwhile, industries in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and technology face shortages of skilled labour, hampering productivity and growth. This mismatch between educational outcomes and labour market needs underscores the urgent necessity for a robust TVET system.
TVET equips individuals with practical skills that enhance employability, address skill gaps and contribute to poverty eradication. By providing education opportunities to marginalised groups, particularly those who may not meet traditional academic requirements, TVET promotes inclusion and offers pathways to economic advancement.
Graduates gain the ability to scale the social ladder, securing employment or starting their own businesses, which fosters self-sufficiency and economic mobility.
A well-structured TVET system drives economic growth by supplying skilled workers essential for industries such as construction, agriculture and manufacturing.
This is particularly impactful in rural areas, where skilled graduates can improve local businesses and services, leading to community development. TVET also enhances productivity and innovation, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently.
By focusing on high-demand sectors, TVET graduates can quickly start their own enterprises, reducing unemployment and creating job opportunities for others.
Beyond employment, TVET fosters social inclusion by empowering women and disadvantaged communities, promoting equity and reducing inequality. Entrepreneurship training is a key component, enabling graduates to start businesses and contribute to economic diversification.
Additionally, TVET ensures adaptability in a rapidly evolving job market, equipping individuals with skills that allow them to transition across different industries.
Modern TVET programmes integrate sustainable practices, preparing graduates to contribute to environmental conservation while addressing market needs.
Collaboration between TVET institutions and industries ensures training remains relevant and responsive to economic demands.
Ultimately, TVET is a vital driver of national development, enhancing human capital, attracting investment and strengthening global competitiveness.
Challenges facing TVET in Zim
Zimbabwe’s TVET sector faces several challenges, including underfunding, which results in outdated infrastructure and limited resources, affecting training quality.
Negative perceptions discourage enrolment, as TVET is often seen as inferior to academic education. Limited industry collaboration has led to curricula that do not align with labour market demands.
Additionally, access barriers prevent rural communities and marginalised groups from benefitting from vocational education, deepening inequalities in skills development.
Learning from global best practices
Lessons from global and regional leaders in TVET, such as South Korea, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Singapore, Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria, among others, reveal how a robust and adaptive system can drive industrialisation, reduce unemployment and foster sustainable development.
For Zimbabwe, now is the time to reimagine TVET as a game-changing tool for national progress.
Here are some countries known for having some of the best TVET systems:
South Korea: Building a high-tech workforce
South Korea’s rise as an industrial powerhouse is closely tied to its investment in TVET. The government worked in tandem with industries to design curricula that met the skills demands of rapidly growing sectors, including electronics, biotechnology and information technology.
Lifelong learning programmes ensure that workers continuously upgrade their skills, making them adaptable to technological advancements.
Notably, South Korea has also integrated digital tools such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality into its TVET programmes to train workers for the digital economy.
Singapore: Embracing lifelong learning
Singapore’s SkillsFuture initiative promotes lifelong learning by offering subsidies and resources for citizens to upgrade their skills throughout their careers.
The initiative prioritises emerging sectors such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare and digital technologies, ensuring the workforce remains competitive in a globalised economy.
Singapore’s approach demonstrates how governments can actively incentivise skills development to align with national economic priorities.
Germany: The dual system of education
Germany’s dual education system is a model of excellence in vocational training.
Combining classroom learning with practical apprenticeships in industries, this system ensures that students graduate with hands-on experience and industry-ready skills.
Strong collaboration involving the government, educational institutions and private sector ensures that TVET remains aligned with labour market needs.
This system has contributed to Germany’s low youth unemployment rate and its reputation as a global leader in manufacturing and engineering.
Similar to Germany, countries like Finland, Netherlands and Denmark are well-known for their dual education system, which combines classroom instruction with practical training in industries.
This system allows for strong collaboration between vocational schools and businesses, ensuring that training is relevant and meets labour market needs.
It enables students to gain hands-on experience while studying.
On the African continent, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda have put emphasis on developing strong TVET institutions, devoting considerable public resources towards developing their systems.
Ghana has prioritised competency-based training and private sector collaboration, while Kenya has invested in modernising TVET institutions and promoting entrepreneurship.
South Africa’s dual TVET system integrates classroom learning with workplace training, supported by industry-linked sector education and training authorities (SETAs).
Rwanda has expanded TVET access through digital learning and centres of excellence, while Morocco has developed a structured apprenticeship system tailored to key industries like aerospace and renewable energy.
Nigeria has focused on information and communication technology (ICT) , engineering and entrepreneurship, with reforms led by the National Board for Technical Education.
Ethiopia has integrated TVET into its Growth and Transformation Plan, emphasising agribusiness and manufacturing skills.
Tunisia’s highly structured TVET system supports youth employment through professional integration programmes and strong employer engagement.
These countries exemplify the best practices in TVET through industry collaboration, relevance, curriculum innovation, digital learning, commitment to quality and entrepreneurship, leading to successful outcomes for graduates, thereby contributing to employment creation and economic growth.
How can TVET contribute effectively to national development?
An effective TVET system plays a crucial role in national development by equipping individuals with relevant skills that align with industry needs and future job market trends.
A well-structured curriculum should incorporate both technical expertise and soft skills such as communication and teamwork.
In Zimbabwe, standardising TVET education across institutions is a step forward, but ensuring that syllabi address current industry demands is essential for meaningful contributions to national development.
Additionally, quality assurance mechanisms, including accreditation and regular evaluations, must be strengthened to enhance training standards.
Upgrading human capital and modernising facilities in a phased approach will ensure that students receive quality instruction using cutting-edge technologies.
Facilities in our existing vocational and technical colleges leave a lot to be desired. Trainers are also in short supply.
Skilled and motivated instructors are critical to delivering high-quality education.
Continuous professional development, alongside competitive remuneration, will ensure their retention.
Unfortunately, this is a sector that has been adversely affected by prevalent skills flight into the Southern African region and beyond.
Equitable access to TVET, especially for marginalised groups and rural populations, is also essential.
Zimbabwe is committed to achieving the Government’s goal of establishing a VTC in each district of the country.
Expanding TVET institutions across all districts and establishing satellite centres at the ward level can promote inclusivity.
Flexible learning pathways, including full-time, part-time and online options, will allow individuals to tailor their education to their circumstances.
Governance and policy frameworks should support effective planning, funding and implementation of training programmes.
Career guidance and counselling services are crucial in helping students make informed choices and enhance employability.
Sustainable funding is also necessary for infrastructure development, acquiring modern equipment, hiring skilled instructors and undertaking research to keep the TVET programme in line with global trends.
Regular programme evaluations should assess graduate employability to ensure that TVET remains responsive to evolving economic conditions. Furthermore, lifelong learning opportunities should be promoted to allow individuals to upskill and reskill as industries evolve.
Increasing public awareness of the value of TVET will enhance its reputation, encouraging more individuals to pursue vocational training and eliminating the stigma that has been associated with TVET education.
By integrating these elements, TVET can significantly contribute to workforce development, economic growth and social inclusion, strengthening Zimbabwe’s progress toward Vision 2030 and sustainable national development.
Strategies to transform TVET
To unlock TVET’s potential, Zimbabwe must implement strategic reforms that include the following:
- Forge industry-education partnerships: Strengthening ties between TVET institutions and industries will ensure curricula remain relevant and practical. Apprenticeships, internships and industry-led training programmes should be integrated into courses.
- Modernise TVET infrastructure: Investing in modern facilities and technologies will improve training in high-demand fields like renewable energy, digital technologies, healthcare and agriculture. International partnerships can help secure funding and technical expertise. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) may be used to bridge funding gaps.
- Combat TVET stigma: A national awareness campaign should highlight success stories of TVET graduates and align qualifications with international standards to enhance recognition and prestige.
- Expand access to marginalised communities: Mobile training units, online platforms, scholarships and financial aid should be introduced to support rural and low-income students. Gender equity should be promoted by encouraging women to enter male-dominated fields.
- Align TVET with national development goals: TVET programmes should support key economic sectors such as agriculture, mining and renewable energy. Emphasising entrepreneurship will enable graduates to create businesses and reduce dependence on formal employment.
- Promote lifelong learning: Flexible learning options, short courses and certifications should be introduced to help workers upskill and remain competitive in evolving industries.
By implementing targeted strategies, Zimbabwe can build a robust TVET system that enhances workforce development, drives economic growth and fosters social inclusion.
A vision for the future
Transforming Zimbabwe’s TVET system is not merely an educational reform; it is a national imperative.
By investing in skills development, Zimbabwe can unlock its human capital potential, reduce unemployment, and drive economic growth. TVET has the power to foster innovation, support industrialisation and empower individuals to create sustainable livelihoods. Drawing inspiration from global success stories while addressing local realities, Zimbabwe can build a TVET system that serves as a catalyst for a brighter, more prosperous future.
Professor Paul Mavima is the Minister of Skills Audit and Development. He wrote this article for The Sunday Mail.
