Govt urged to built more Vocational training centres

Youths from Plumtree, the bulk of them unemployed, have urged government to build vocational training centre in the border town, at least to boost skills training and create opportunities for out-of-school youths.

The youths made their demands  during a community theatre forum on Bill of Rights: Promoting Access to Education organised by Plumtree Development Trust and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in Plumtree recently.

Community Voice website reported that there is only one vocational training centre in Plumtree, Bulilima and Mangwe - Avoca Training Centre - which is however, currently not operational. Absence of a vocational training centre or at least an institution of higher learning in Plumtree, youths say, is one of the reasons why most of them troupe to South Africa and Botswana in search of menial jobs.

"We really need vocational training centres in Plumtree to cater for school-leavers because after completing 'O' and or 'A' levels, most of us have nowhere to go especially for skills training. As a result we are forced to go to neighbouring South Africa and Botswana to look for menial jobs," said Nkosilathi Moyo .

"I believe that if government facilitates the establishment of Vocational training centres and or tertiary institutions in Plumtree this can help boost productivity, underpin economic growth, and create opportunities for youths from Mangwe and Bulilima who are often accused of having a negative attitude towards education."

Technical and vocational education and training has in the past been poorly perceived in Zimbabwe, often being seen as the reserve option for those unable to achieve the grades to enter into higher education.

These negative perceptions of the sector are limiting the career opportunities available for youths in most Zimbabwean communities, especially those that have been historically marginalized.

Fortunately, in Zimbabwe vocational training is now perceived as one of the most important component of economic and social development particularly in the creation of employment. This was evident through the establishment of a government ministry for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training.