A TEVET student at DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational School, Beatrice Alfred, has urged girls to choose technical education if they want to be financially independent.

Alfred said this in Chikwawa during one of the outreach events organized by the European Union funded Skills and Technical Education Programme (STEP) in partnership with Girl Effect Malawi (Zathu pa Wailesi).

In August, STEP conducted 30 outreach events in over 18 districts across the country aimed at raising awareness on TEVET among young people.

The events managed to reach over 1,500 girls and boys. The participants were also motivated by girls doing TEVET courses and those that are currently doing business or employed after graduating from TEVET colleges.

Alfred is one of the role models who inspired young people in Chikwawa district. She is studying Fabrication and Welding.

“This trade will help me to be financially independent. I am doing my second year at DAPP Mikolongwe vocational school. When I finish my studies, I want to establish my own workshop,” she said.

Alfred said she is currently doing internship at Illovo Sugar Company in Chikwawa as an assistant welder.

She urged young people especially girls to choose technical education if they want to be self-reliant.

“There are so many opportunities out there, and TEVET is one of them. TEVET courses are male dominated, but this sector is for all of us. I urge girls to also choose technical education,” Alfred explained.

Howard Chapunduka was one of the participants in the outreach events.

“Vocational skills are very important because they help to build the nation and also assist young people to be self-reliant and promote their lives through either businesses or employment,” he said.

Apart from the outreach events, Girl Effect has produced a bespoke drama story which started airing in July this year on various radio stations such as Malawi Broadcasting Station Radio 2 and YONECO.

Some of the TEVET programmes available include; Administrative Studies, Automobile Mechanics, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Cosmetology, Electrical Installation, Fabrication and Welding, Food Production, General Fitting, Horticulture, Information and Communication Technology, Painting and Decoration, Printing, Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Mechanics, Solar Photovoltaic, Tailoring and Design, and Vehicle Body Repair and Refinishing.