By 
A partnership to develop relevant skills for value addition and agro-processing to boost the manufacturing sector in Zambia has been sealed by two entities.
This partnership has been signed by the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) and Production Technologies of South Africa (PTSA).
TEVETA Manager Corporate Affairs Clive Siachiyako said the partnership with PTSA was part of bilateral engagement aimed at developing a training programme in toolmaking, which is critical in strengthening the country’s manufacturing abilities.
Siachiyako said the partnership included capacity building for lecturers in toolmaking, curriculum development, and assessment of instruments development.
He said the bilateral collaboration also seeks to support mining sector productivity targets by the Zambia.
He stated that the government was focussing on value addition to enhance agriculture production, agro-processing and manufacturing sectors.
The partnership, Siachiyako said, would help in various sectors through knowledge gathering and sharing, building capacities, and development of different skills.
“Apprentices in heavy duty equipment training in Zambia will be exposed to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) that supply mining companies in Zambia.
“TEVETA has signed an apprenticeship programme with Bell Equipment Zambia and part of their training will be done at the Bell Equipment manufacturing facilities in South Africa to effectively manage the earth moving equipment Bell Equipment supplies mining companies,” he said.
Read more: USAID, Prosper Africa announce partnership with Bechtel Zambia to address global food security
He stated that without competent mine operators, achieving Zambia’s mining sector productivity targets would mean importing labour from countries with right artisanal skills.
“Zambia needs the right skills in the right quantities to meet copper production targets, create jobs and wealth as part of the socioeconomic transformation agenda,” he said.
Meanwhile, TEVETA Director-Assessments and Certification Ocean Matimba, said the partnership would bring a lot of benefits for Zambia in its quest to actualise national development through the 8th National Development Plan.
Matimba said focus was to unlock huge potential Zambia had in order to create jobs through skills training.
“Government is focussing on creating jobs that can sustain Zambian youths. Zambia needs the right skills in the right quantities to meet copper production targets, create jobs and wealth as part of the socio-economic transformation agenda,” he said.
And Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Inonge Mwenya, said government would continue supporting and partnering with different stakeholders in line with its developmental agenda.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments