Vocational Skills training for youths

CONCEPT NOTE: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE IN TONGOGARA DISTRICT

Background

Shurugwi District‘s youth are grappling with two interconnected problems: high unemployment and widespread drug and substance abuse. These twin crises not only undermine the potential of young people but also threaten the nation’s long term stability and development. Addressing them is critical for safeguarding the country‘s future as they have reached crisis levels with devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. Despite a strong willingness to learn, rural youth and middle –aged individuals lack vocational education that can equip them with marketable skills. This results in cycles of unemployment and dependency further widening socioeconomic disparities

Proposal

The project aims to build and operationalize a Vocational Training Centre in Tongogara preferably in a well-situated to access local and regional markets. The centre will initially train 120 students in carpentry, sewing, farming, aquaculture and apiculture with future cohorts expanding based on success metrics and demand and ideally reaching 1000 students within 5 years of operation. The VCT will operate on a social enterprise model –tuition and fees will be reinvested as salaries for teachers, administration costs and running of the centre, program sustainability, and ensuring long-term viability.

Target group

17-25 years boys and girls. Minimum requirement is O level.

Objectives of the project

1. Curb idleness which leaves young people with excessive free time making them more susceptible to peer pressure and drug abuse
2. Reducing cycles of poverty through skills capacitation with strong potential for self-employment and market integration
3. Reduce informal sector reliance which include street vending, menial jobs which provide little stability and continue to widen socio-economic disparities.
4.  Accelerate retention for young people who would not afford to further studies after O level
5. To uphold the nations development strategy two NDS2 in promoting skills development.

Unfortunately the project did not receive any support.  We managed to receive the tools but still need a centre to do the skills training.  We continue to appeal for support of this very critical intervention for our rural youths

Links:

• WICO website