Karonga District Council chairperson Bellium Msukwa has challenged Wovwe Community Skills Development Centre to venture into entrepreneurship and help government in job creation to spur socio-economic development.
Msukwa made the appeal on Saturday at Wovwe in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwirang’ombe in the district during the graduation of the first cohort of 90 vocational skills students.
He said: “The institution has shaped youths who were just idle in our community. Therefore, we expect you to shine and utilise the knowledge and skills acquired to transform your livelihood.
“Go and venture into entrepreneurship and create jobs and become economically independent.
“The Council will ensure that this institution is developed into a technical college. However, let me also encourage you to aim higher as education is a continuous process”.
On his part, Karonga Informal Skills Training Providers Association chairperson Shamora Tembo pleaded with the Council and community to support the new graduands with businesses and contracts.
In an interview, T/A Mwirang’ombe commended government for supporting the institution, saying it will train youths who just roam around and those who dropped out of school due to early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Taking his turn, Karonga District youth officer Lapken Liwago commended Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) for the initiative, saying it aligns with the Malawi 2063 development agenda.
He said: “Apart from imparting knowledge and skills, this centre will also reduce early marriages, alcohol and drug abuse in the area. Therefore, the council should make sure that such development centres are also established across the district”.
On his part, TEVETA Northern Region service centre manager Joseph Chikopa hailed the community for their unwavering support, saying it donated the structures for the institution to roll out.
He said: “The community has been supportive by surrendering the structures. These graduands, if supported will carry out maintenance works and transform these structures to the level of your liking.
“However, let me take this opportunity to challenge the 90 graduates from seven courses to be ambitious by utilising the government sponsorship to upgrade their studies. There are also business loans from the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) whose collateral is your certificate which attracts a 2 percent interest rate,” he said.
The 90 students graduated from tailoring and fashion design, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, cosmetology, electrical installation, plumbing and electronics and phone repairing.
