The Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation has thanked the European Union funded Skills and Technical Education Programme (STEP) which is partially implemented UNESCO for developing management manuals for the country’s Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) sector.

The minister responsible, Martha Lunji Chanjo Mhone said the government appreciates the role STEP is playing in supporting Malawi’s TEVET sector.

Mhone said this in Lilongwe when STEP officially handed over management manuals to the Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation.

 “The college manuals have come at the right time as they will play a big role in improving the professionalism and management of Malawi’s technical colleges,” she observes.

According to Chanjo, the assistance is in line with one of the priorities of government which is the promotion of technical education among the country’s youth.

Taking her turn, Social Sectors and Infrastructure Team Leader for the Delegation of the European Union Virgine Lafleur –Tighe said the European Union would continue to support the country’s TEVET sector.

“As in other African countries, there is a great need to increase the skills of youth for them to develop productive livelihoods, therefore technical and vocational education is an important sector to ensure that young people participate in the economy and become productive citizens,” Lafleur – Tighe explains.

Lafleur –Tighe also disclosed that the European Union has committed an additional 55 million euros over the next years to support this sector along with support to small and medium enterprise development for students in technical and vocational areas for them to start their own businesses.

“This initiative will help Malawi to become a destination for domestic and foreign investment,” she says.

STEP is currently implementing various activities aimed at improving the country’s TEVET sector.

In his remarks, STEP Team Leader, Arthur Shears said UNESCO with support from the European Union, is supporting access and equity in TEVET, strengthening curriculum and pedagogy, and supporting governance and management within the TEVET sector.