Twelve new students at African Vision Malawi have gained important skills in tinsmith.

In a short period, they have learned how to make buckets, wash basins, chicken feeders, and watering cans.

In addition to tinsmith, the students are learning small business development skills and will receive a small business start-up kit that will enable them to set up their own businesses when they return to their home village.

With only 1 month before their final summative assessment by TEVETA officials, students are perfecting their skills to ensure they receive their certificate and graduate on June 6 ^th, 2019.

Matiyasi Laston, who is a sole bread winner in his family, said he would pair with a fellow student to start his business.

According to Laston, he has struggled in the past due to his physical disability, however, it has not stopped him from learning this new vocation.

The students are all part of the STEP bursary programme which enables vulnerable populations to participate in skills and entrepreneurship training.

STEP is an initiative funded by the European Union and partially implemented by UNESCO.

Gender and Education Specialist for Skills and Technical Education Programme (STEP) Jean Munro says the aim of the bursary programme is to ensure that vulnerable groups are financially independent.