All roads led to Don Bosco Technical Youth Institute for TEVET stakeholders on 16th July.
STEP successfully facilitated a highly attended TEVET stakeholders’ meeting at the institute, a venue which was hardly known earlier by most of the stakeholders. The meeting was attended by gurus of the industry, mostly the construction industry, training service providers, regulatory bodies, government, employers, trade unions as well as institutions of higher learning.
The Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development – MOLYSD – set the pace by highlighting the importance of all stakeholders in shaping and monitoring how the TEVET program is responding to industry’s manpower needs. He also commended the EU’s contribution towards the TEVET program especially alluding to the presentation from STEP’s Team Leader and that of Susan Kommwa from the National Authorizing Office.
The presentations highlighted how EU-supported initiatives are gradually yielding results both within the TEVET colleges and amongst the youths.
The meeting was officially opened by the Labour Commissioner, Mr. Hlalerwayo Nyangulu, who emphasized that government is aware of the critical part that industry plays in developing the skilled labour force; hence need for such meetings involving all stakeholders to improve the TEVET system.
Mr H. Nyangulu – Labour Commissioner
The participation of industry in the monitoring of TEVET program was highlighted during a presentation of STEP’s research work, in which a draft consultative monitoring and evaluation framework was proposed. All stakeholders pledged their keenness and readiness to effectively participate and contribute in TEVET programs.
The stakeholders, however, still feel that their participation is hampered by a number of unresolved issues most of which require effective coordination between the government, the industry and the regulatory bodies.
As a way forward, participants recommended that STEP should facilitate the streamlining of TEVET responsibilities for industry, government, training providers and regulatory bodies. The industry further suggested that the streamlining recommendations should be discussed in the presence of all parties, the government included.
During the meeting, it was noted that UNESCO was asked to conduct a review of the TEVETA Act and Policy and that review is currently underway.
The Delegation of the European Union in Malawi was commended for their support to STEP.
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