By Staff Writer
Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati says Government is satisfied that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Skills Development component is working across TEVET institutions owing to the over 100 percent enrolment rate in colleges.
Speaking to journalists after touring Livingstone Institute of Business and Engineering Studies (LIBES), Mr Mutati said Government is seeing practical implementation of CDF relating to skills development.
The Minister said it is impressive that LIBES has an influx of 1,766 students from seven Constituencies which are Mulobezi, Shangombo, Mwandi, Katombora, Livingstone Central, Mapatizya, and Chirundu acquiring critical skills.
Mr Mutati said these empowerment programs are critical in the transfer of skills for those who did not have an opportunity to acquire practical skills.
He said a close linkage with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise is being done so as to enable start up capitals for these youths upon completion and also enable tool kits for their various enterprises.
And Mr Mutati said Government is unlocking all the bottlenecks that were being faced to ensure the people on the ground take part in the socio- economic development of this country.
Meanwhile, LIBES principal Ignatius Lubinda commended Government for being consistent in the release of grants after it was increased from around K201 thousand to over K285 thousand per month.
Mr Lubinda said LIBES has partnered with the Association of Medium and Small Scale Contractors as part of the initiative to fill the gap in skills and management of projects in the sector by having programs tailored to offer elements of good contract management in construction.