The Ministry of Technology and Science has revealed that it targets to train at least 10,000 youths to equip them with skills as part of practical delivery by the end of the year 2022.
Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati said this yesterday at the launch of the National Youth Skills Empowerment Programme in Chongwe district, flanked by five (5) other cabinet ministers.
Those in attendance include; Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe, Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo who is Chongwe Member of Parliament, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister Elias Mubanga and Sports, Youth and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu represented by his Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe.
Speaking at the event, Mr Mutati said the Ministry targets to role out this program to all the constituencies across the country which would then have a multiplier effect of creating jobs for many other youths.
Mr Mutati said technology encompasses delivering the skills that are necessary while working with other ministries as one government system.
He assured that with skills acquisition, youths are guaranteed to be permanently employed and to also employ others.
The Minister said the ministry intends to be practical particularly for the year 2022, with a philosophy that local jobs should be preserved for the local people so that the monies revolves around the communities.
He said the Ministry’s formula for skills development will be Government going to the people and not the other way round as President Hakainde Hichilema is delivering the skills which young people embrace.
Mr Mutati said after acquiring the skills, what will be important for the youths is to be ethical and deliver quality within appropriate standards.
He said with the increased allocation of the Constituency Development Fund to K25.7 million, there will be need to have a cadre of skilled youths that will assist in the construction sector and many other aspects that will require local sourcing of labour and skill.
And Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga said the New Dawn government wants to nature a cadre of entrepreneurs with the right skills and mindset to contribute effectively to national development.
Me Mubanga said this would as a result reduce on government dependence for empowerment schemes amongst the youths.
