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Michael Magoronga,Midlands Correspondent

A TOTAL of 191 youths from Kwekwe and Redcliff towns recently received certificates after completing a skills outreach programme (SOP).
The programme is meant to empower the youths with various skills in order to improve their livelihoods.

World Food Programme (WFP)

The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in partnership with Plan International and World Food Programme (WFP) are running the programme.
Kwekwe city does not have a vocational training centre.
The youths received certificates after completing various courses that include baking and cake making, home and decor, brick and block laying, cosmetology and metal fabrication.

The courses were held in conjunction with Kaguvi Training Centre, Gweru Vocational Training Centre and Shurugwi Vocational Training Centre among others.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Midlands provincial youth development officer, Mr Norman Chivi during the graduation ceremony, Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Deputy Minister Tino Machakaire said the skills attained by the youths are meant to create employment.

“Since we are carrying out training for enterprise the youths are encouraged to form their own businesses and create employment. The youths should come up with business proposals and seek funding from institutions like Empower Bank,” he said.
Deputy Minister Machakaire said the courses will also go a long way in alleviating substance and drug abuse as well as sexual abuse among youths.

Empower Bank

“The ministry’s vision statement ‘An empowered youth and excelling sport, arts and recreation industries by 2030’ augurs well with these training programmes. In line with this vision, the ministry has several departments each with a mandate towards attaining Vision 2030,” said Deputy Minister Machakaire.

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Larry Mavima

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Larry Mavima, who was represented by Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Fortune Mpungu, said the Government is going to fast-track the establishment of a vocational training centre in Kwekwe district.