By Lerato Ndlovu
Vocational Training Centres have been urged to compliment government’s efforts in empowering youths by being innovative and industrious despite being under funded.
During a visit by the portfolio committee on Youth Sports Arts and recreation in Mashonaland West, Tatenda Mavetera said under funding of the institutions doesn’t lie in the hands of the government but the institutions themselves.
“Vocational Training Centres should find means to sustain themselves, they should engage in innovative and industrious initiatives that would help raise funds for desired development plans.
“Relying on the government to sustain the centres through funding can be challenging and can not fill all the required necessities”.
Since 2002 Kadoma VTC has failed to develop its 32ha owing to inadequate funds.
The centre is operating at a former beer hall and leasing a block from a local businessman.
“The nation is going through a rough patch thats affecting our country, embarking on income generating projects can help the institutions in developing and sustaining themselves instead of waiting for the government to start everything for them.
“These institutions provide skills to students that can be of aid to the institutions themselves and their community as such being hands on as practicals can also help them develop themselves “.
She challenged the institution to also consider engaging in fundraising projects that would result in the development of the stand that they got from Kadoma Municipality.
“You can even try to engage in by-ministerial agreements or lease part of your land for agricultural activities and join government piggery project so that you raise money for the proposed boarding facility you intend to establish here.
“Create private partnerships with the business community and councils so as to improve the centres too”.
Kadoma VTC acting Principal, Owen Takawira said they tried to apply for Command Agriculture in 2018 but failed to access inputs as they did not have lease agreement from council then.
“We are in the process of registering for piggery project, accessing a lease for the project was our biggest challenge,” he said.
“Our major challenge now is of staff, we only have 3 at the moment and we are appealing to the government to quickly interfere and increase the number of trainers.”
Director of vocational training centres and skills in the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Art and Recreation, Ms Pauline Karigambe said there was need for issues affecting Mashayamombe, Kadoma and many other VTCs across the county to be holistically approached so that VTCs play a role in aiding Vision 2030.
