At a time when many young people seem aimless and adrift, feeling overwhelmed by despair and complaining about unemployment, DAPP Zimbabwe a member of the Humana People to People movement has joined the Africa Skills Revolution. This initiative, launched on July 15th, World Youth Skills Day, aims to offer a beacon of hope through skills development in technical and vocational training
DAPP is one of the eight Humana People to People countries in Africa that offer Vocational Skills Training to young people. The institutions carefully design courses that meet market demands, aligning with national educational frameworks and complementing government efforts to improve academic outcomes. The seven other countries besides DAPP Zimbabwe are Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia
Speaking via Zoom during the webinar launch on Monday, DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director Luckson Soda shared how DAPP’s pioneering public-private partnerships have led to the development of market-driven short courses tailored to address specific skills gaps in sectors like agriculture, engineering and cosmetology.
“These initiatives not only enhance employability but also stimulate economic growth in local communities. As we look to the future, the role of TVET providers in Africa cannot be overstated. They serve as springboards for unleashing the potential of Africa’s youth, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to shape their own destinies and contribute to a prosperous continent,” said Luckson Soda
“Mr. Soda noted that it is important to nurture young talent in Africa. ‘Today, as we continue to invest in the potential of Africa’s youth, let us reaffirm our commitment to nurturing their talents and aspirations. Let us provide them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to realize their dreams and build the Africa they envision – a continent where every young person thrives, contributes, and achieves greatness,’ he said.”
DAPP Zimbabwe Vocational Training College Concept
Firstly, our commitment to empowering young people is unwavering. Our TVET college is dedicated to equipping students with practical skills directly relevant to local job markets. We believe in not only preparing students for careers but also empowering them to shape their own futures as drivers of innovation and progress.
Secondly, our college is more than just educational institution, it is a vibrant community hub deeply embedded within our local context. It serves as catalysts for development, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and driving collective progress in the communities.
Thirdly, the college prioritize serving rural and remote areas, ensuring that youth in these regions have equitable access to quality education and opportunities for socio-economic advancement. This commitment is rooted in our belief that every young person deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of their geographical location.
Lastly, a cornerstone of education at our college is the cultivation of essential 21st-century skills. Students learn critical competencies such as organization, teamwork, and problem-solving skills vital for addressing global challenges like climate change and inequality. These competencies not only prepare students to lead but also to innovate and adapt in an ever-changing world.
Humana People to People (HUMANA) will participate in the Role of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVES) in VET in Africa International Conference, from 25th to 27th of June 2024 in Casablanca, Morocco. This forum, organized by the European Training Foundation (ETF) and ENABEL, will provide a platform for discussion and reflections on CoVEs policies and practices as well as facilitate exchange, networking and encourage transnational cooperation between training providers in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
The three-day event aims to foster the exchange of ideas, practices, and experiences among centers of vocational excellence within Africa. It will highlight good practices, tools, and resources across various topics, including governance, funding, economic sectors, work-based learning, and the green and digital transitions.
Through its 16 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) colleges spread across Angola, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe— HUMANA has equipped more than 30,000 young people with the skills needed to thrive professionally and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities. Both our formal and informal TVET programmes are designed to be practical and provide real-life experience. Additionally, the programmes have a strong entrepreneurship component.
Four representatives from our TVET colleges in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, will be sharing practices and pedagogies that significantly impact sustainable and inclusive education, as well as youth access to the labor market.
Zechariah Viano, Deputy Principal of Mikolongwe Vocational School in Malawi, will showcase business-support services in agriculture to fosters an entrepreneurial culture, nurture talent, and develop a skilled, industry-responsive workforce among youth in rural areas in Malawi.
Chipo Zuze, Education Sector Leader at Ponesai Vanhu Technical College in Zimbabwe, will explain how the college has developed an innovative and sustainable public-private partnership (PPP) model centred around in curricula design, work-based learning opportunities and social inclusion aspects.
Fernando Angelo, Headmaster at ADPP Polytechnic School in Angola, will focus on how their schools have successfully integrated circular economy principles and green skills into the school’s curriculum. Some of the initiatives he will share about are on efficient charcoal stoves production and textile upcycling, among others.
Lastly, Rui Baloi, Partnership Officer at ADPP Mozambique, will present how ADPP Polytechnic Institutes in Nhamatanda and Nacala play a crucial role in bridging the skills gap in the agricultural job market by enhancing the technical capacities of TVET students, including through hands-on experiences such as demonstration plots.
By participating actively in this conference, HUMANA aims to inspire, exchange and contribute to the development of a robust and inclusive vocational education system in the region that can drive sustainable economic growth and social development.
Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Zimbabwe’s pedagogical methods are an essential component in the development of human capital skills not only in Mashonaland Central but the nation at large, a senior government official said last week.
Permanent Secretary for Skills Audit and Development, Ambassador Rudo Chitiga said this while officiating a workshop where her Ministry is seeking to understand the realities of the skills landscape.
The workshop’s objectives included the need to get an appreciation of the current skills development in the province, challenges and possible partnership measures as well as understanding resource endowments in the province and the relevant skills in short supply needed in the future.
She commended DAPP Zimbabwe’s methods for improving rural socio-economic development saying they are scalable beyond Mashonaland Central. “I have heard a lot from the DAPP Organisation in Zimbabwe. It is our recommendation and it is sitting on our table and agenda that we want to rope in DAPP Zimbabwe to be part of this program development together with my Ministry, especially in the fight for Rural Socio-economic Development, not only for this province but the entire nation.
“So, DAPP, you are being warned here and please do link with our offices for more collaborations and synergies,” said the Perm Sec.
The government also challenged institutions that do not offer employment opportunities or those that do not open doors to people who did not get good results or grades from various examinations.
“Let us all be inclusive. Let us capacitate our staff. Some staff in the organisations have become redundant hence the need for training,” said the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution of Mash Central Province Hon Christopher Magomo. He also discouraged rote learning in the schools, calling for a relook into the training curriculums which should be linked to meet the changing needs and current challenges people face in various communities or sectors of business.
DAPP Zimbabwe’s projects align with the Ministry’s vision to enhance Zimbabwean citizens’ skills amidst the government’s concerns that educational institutions are churning out degreed students who are not directly serving their communities.
“As DAPP, we have opened our doors for everyone- the disabled, the outcasts from other colleges because of lack of required qualifications such as lack of mathematics and English at ordinary levels, to come and enroll in our vocational school PVTC,” said DAPP Frontline Institute Principal Doubt Musiiwa.
“Here we enroll even those without a subject for as long they can read and write. We have made synergies with institutions like Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), offered training to the students, made their trade tested and today are flooding institutions in the whole country more to say Bindura in the confectionary undertakings, motor mechanic industries and more.” Said Doubt Musiiwa.
Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Zimbabwe is proud to announce a transformative partnership with the Swiss Academy for Development (SA4D) to launch a comprehensive three-year project focused on empowering disadvantaged youth in Shamva District The joint effort, named “Green Paths for You(th) and the Climate,” aims to empower 300 disadvantaged young people aged 15-24 over a 34-month period starting from March 1, 2024.
At the core of our project is the goal of equipping young people with vital skills in sustainable, climate-smart agriculture to improve food security, nutrition, and income stability. Through targeted technical and practical training sessions, participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in agricultural practices that prioritize environmental sustainability.
Beyond technical skills, we recognize the importance of enhancing employability and life skills among youth. To achieve this, our project integrates innovative sport and play-based sessions that impart agri-entrepreneurship knowledge and general life skills. By combining practical training with ongoing mentorship, coaching, and provision of start-up tools, we aim to empower participants to embark on successful economic ventures.
A central aspect of our project is the commitment to addressing mental health challenges and combating alcohol, drug, and substance abuse among young people. By fostering awareness and providing support, we seek to promote healthier lifestyles and cultivate a more engaged and resilient youth population in Shamva District.
DAPP Zimbabwe is also focused on enhancing our organizational capacities through this partnership. Our dedicated local staff and community members will receive specialized training on SA4D’s sport and play-based approach, enhancing our ability to integrate these methodologies into our broader development activities. This capacity-building initiative will strengthen our impact and visibility, particularly in the field of “Sport for Development.”
As we embark on this journey, we recognize that the project’s impact extends far beyond our direct participants. Planned awareness-raising activities and community engagement events will benefit the broader project area, fostering sustainable and inclusive development across Shamva District. With 300 young people set to benefit directly from our training sessions and community initiatives, DAPP Zimbabwe is excited to be at the forefront of positive change. Together with SA4D, we are committed to building a brighter future for disadvantaged youth and their communities, creating pathways to sustainable employment and improved well-being.
My name is Tatenda Maunde and I am a 22 year old young man from Mt Darwin. I wrote my form four in 2020 and passed six Ordinary Level subjects but due to financial constraints, I could not continue with my education. I had lost hope for the future.
I was introduced to vocational education training by a friend who had just completed short courses at Ponesai Vanhu Technical College (PVTC). I used to think that only students with lower grades were the ones placed in TVET schools but later on, I realized that those who graduates from such schools were getting opportunities since their skills were meeting market labour demands. I then made up my mind and enrolled for a Tourism and Hospitality long course at PVTC.
I got training on the baking business, making business plans, creating strong client base and social media marketing. Although I am looking forward to finishing my studies, I understand the high unemployment rate among young people in Zimbabwe. Therefore, our training is heavily centered on entrepreneurship skills training for self -employment and I hope to get together with other students to start our own bakery. I believe that there is need for vocational schools to engage industry experts as guests’ instructors to improve student’s skills in line with labour demands.
I want to call upon the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education to establish Youth Employment Clubs, where current students, graduates from different careers and company representatives to allow for continued learning and sharpening of critical soft skills, such as planning, negotiation, and communication.
