By Dean Chisambo
Minister of Labour Peter Dimba has praised President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera for promoting vocational training and skills development among the youth within a short period of his leadership.
Dimba made the remarks during the 2025 National Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) Conference in Lilongwe.
He emphasized that the country cannot develop without skilled labor, which is crucial for economic growth.
The minister lamented that the Malawi 2063 blueprint highlights the urgent need to train the youth in various skills to drive national development.
He explained that since Chakwera assumed office in 2020, many young people have enrolled in technical colleges to acquire skills in various trades.
He said:”In 2020, there were about 2,500 students in technical colleges, but today, the number has increased to over 7,500, reflecting the growing interest in the TEVET sector.”
Dimba disclosed that beyond the TEVET sector, the number of young people enrolling in different universities has also risen significantly.
He added:”In 2020, about 30,000 students were admitted to public universities, but today, that figure has grown to 75,000.”
The minister further mentioned that the number of students applying for university loans has increased from 13,000 in the 2019-2020 academic year to over 30,000 currently.
He commended Chakwera for achieving these milestones within three years, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first two years of his administration.
In his address during the conference, President Chakwera urged Malawians to work harder, emphasizing that employment is a blessing for everyone.
He also warned against laziness and corruption, stating that those siphoning public funds would be held accountable as all loopholes had been sealed.
On his part, TEVET Board Chairperson Pyoka Tembo expressed satisfaction with the growing recognition of TEVET as a game-changer in the country’s economic transformation.
Tembo emphasized that people now understand that TEVET is not just for those who underperform academically but for everyone, as it plays a vital role in national development.
In her remarks, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Vice-Chancellor Address Malata stressed the need for vocational training to begin at an early childhood development stage to ensure smooth progression to higher levels.
Malata pointed out that as the world transitions to a digital economy, there is a need to adapt business approaches and maintain integrity in art and design industries.
She added that it is crucial to ensure that individuals with disabilities and special needs are not left behind in vocational training opportunities.
