The European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have signed a 6-point 5 million Euros partnership agreement to implement a four-year Skills Development for Increased Employability Program (SDEP) in Zambia.
In a statement issued in by ILO Program Officer Gerald Tembo, the EU funded project is expected to contribute towards improving employability of both women and men, especially youths.
EU Ambassador to Zambia, Jacek Jankowski said the EU is keen to support human capital development among youths in order to empower and contribute to national development.
Mr Jankowski said the project will establish strong linkages with the EU Green Deal and the EU Africa strategy that emphasize on increasing access to quality education, skills, research and enhance social rights.
The project is expected to facilitate the upgrading and maintenance of training facilities and curriculum development of tertiary institutions under the country’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) system.
And ILO Country Office Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique George Okutho said skills development is a key component of the decent work agenda and is central to improving the overall quality of life.
Visiting EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, who is attending the ongoing EU Zambia Economic Forum, witnessed the signing ceremony in the company of Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati, Education Minister Douglas Syakalima and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Elias Mubanga.
