The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training has opened a new Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Beitbridge to provide an opportunity for the youth in the area to learn more life skills and practical subjects that may turn around their lives.

A vocational training centre is an institution designed to equip youth with practical, market-relevant skills to combat unemployment and foster entrepreneurship.

These centres are managed by the Government and focus on hands-on training (approximately 80% practicals) in trades such as agriculture, carpentry, plumbing, building, and IT.

It is understood that the VTCs are crucial for bridging the gap between education and employment, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Acting head of the Ministry in the district Mr Stanley Moyo made the announcement on Monday during the swearing in ceremony of a new councillor for Ward 14 under the Beitbridge Rural District Council.

He said the Ministry had already been allocated land by the Beitbridge RDC to build the facility and that enrolment for the first classes was in progress.

Mr Moyo said the VTC will start running three months’ short courses until they secure a venue for more lessons.

At the moment they are housed at the Ministry’s district offices and has been relying only on the Roman Catholic run VTC at Lutumba growth point some 20 km north of the border town.

“From our research, indications are that we should start with short courses on catering, solar installation, motor mechanics, electrical power engineering, cosmetology, plumbing and building,” said the VTC’s principal Ms Anna Chiriseri.

“We are also going to be having outreach training in areas far from the town so that we impart the knowledge to everyone who is interested around the district.

“Our first classes will be in March and we are hoping that we will soon get more resources for civil works at the site which was allocated to us by the council”.

The development comes shortly after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ) has started exploring the modalities of establishing its own VTC at Zezani area some 135km west of the Beitbridge town.