STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, MR FELIX C.M. MUTATI, MP ON THE COMPLETION OF MPOROKOSO AND LUNDAZI TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTE – 21ST MAY 2024

 

The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) has the mandate of providing Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) to citizens of the Republic of Zambia particularly the youths, women and persons with disabilities, who would want to acquire skills. This provision is in accordance with the TEVET Policy of 2020.

Following the objective in the TEVET Policy of increasing access to skills development, the Ministry has been constructing Trades Training Institutes (TTls) in various selected districts in the country.

The Ministry has therefore built Mporokoso and Lundazi Trades Training Institutes. At both institutes, the Government will offer skills training that boarders on skills that provide both livelihood survival as well as societal development programmes.

It should be noted that the total cost for Mporokoso Trades Training Institute was K60,177,303.35. This construction was done by T & H Eminence Construction Ltd and is comprises of staff houses, workshops, Fencing, student’s hostels, classrooms, ablution blocks, graduation square, modern Library, ZESCO power supply, roads and walkways, parking space as well as water reticulation, sewerage and Sanitation systems.

The total cost for Lundazi Trades Training Institute was K34,783,311.78. This comprises staff houses, modern library, classrooms, ablution blocks, ZESCO power supply, roads and walkways, parking space as well as water reticulation, sewerage and Sanitation systems. The above Institute will also provide skills that support the livelihood of youths and women in the catchment area of Eastern Province and other Provinces across the Country.

This is part of the wider Government objectives of providing skills to the people of Zambia and ensuring of meeting skills for national development that covers the objectives of the 8NDP embracing Mining, Agriculture, Tourism and Manufacturing. The Government will continue to deepen and widen investment in skills development and technical education to ensure that appropriate skills and skill sets are provided to the human capital in Zambia. The Government will soon operationalize and commission the two Institutes.

Mporokoso and Lundazi Trade schools will each have a total of 400 enrolments. Apart from metal fabrication, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, the two trade schools will also offer courses which will help in the fight against climate change. Agriculture, agroforestry and textile technology. Lundazi will have an extra course in gemstone identification and processing.

We are now in the process of procuring equipment and other training tools for the two trade schools ahead of their official opening at the end of June 2024 and we have also built the two facilities with features that allow people living with disabilities to have easy access and learn without challenges.

President Hakainde Hichilema’s goal is that opportunities must be given to all Zambians and that TEVET institutions must be in all provinces to bring skills development closer to the people.

I Thank You