'Psychomotor activities vital for economic growth'

PSYCHOMOTOR activities are critical components for the country's economic turnaround, hence the need to empower unemployed youths to become game changers.

Speaking at the 19th Enterprise Development Graduation Ceremony held at Mutare Poly recently, Hillbright Science College chief servant, Mr Pardon Mugari, said with empowerment, people overcome economic powerlessness.

"Technical Vocational Educational Training is characterised by a combination of many attributes that include job creation, self reliance and economic empowerment for citizens. These elements indeed are in line with the spirit of Zim-Asset as they intended to add value to school leavers. Enterprise Development is skills oriented. The skills acquired empower one to create employment. Psychomotor activities are the cornerstone needed by the country to combat a plethora of challenges hence promoting the efforts to turn unemployed youths into active economic players within the shortest possible time," said Mr Mugari.

The graduation was held under the theme: "Economic Empowerment and Growth through TVETisation."

A total of 557 graduands, among them 313 females, were awarded with vocational training certificates after successfully completing courses which include Music, Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Vehicle Body Repairs, Auto Electrics, Early Child Education and Care (ECEC), Interior Décor and Professional Cookery.

Mutare Poly principal, Ms Poniso Watema, said the Enterprise Development courses were designed to inculcate a culture of entrepreneurship by offering courses that sought to make graduands masters of their own destiny.

"The theme guides our internal training policies to noble limits that need complimenting. This is achieved through churning skills which create self-dependence and entrepreneurship for economic empowerment. These graduands have been exposed to an entrepreneurship environment to enable them to establish their own businesses and be self-reliant," she said.

She said the diverse programmes were designed to produce versatile, innovative and creative thinkers and performers who will contribute to the productive world.

"In line with economic blueprint, Zim-Asset, these courses are intended to add value to unemployed school leavers, by, turning them into active economic players within the shortest possible time. The courses equip trainees with hands-on skills and nurture confidence in them so that they can contribute effectively in the economy. The marriage between the theory and practical as a tool of instruction helps the graduands to create and boost their businesses. Hence they are able to contribute to the economic development of the country," she added.