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Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]

WITH 58 students enrolled in a diverse range of industry-tailored courses, from plumbing and hotel catering to agriculture, the Umguza Vocational Training Centre (VTC) is proving to be a vital source of opportunity for young people in Matabeleland North Province, addressing a critical skills gap for both job creation and entrepreneurship.

The skills centre, located approximately 40 kilometres along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, offers courses in motor mechanics, hotel and catering, clothing and textile technology, building, solar installation, plumbing, welding, and cosmetology.

Additionally, an agriculture course is mandatory for all students.
Umguza VTC stands as the sole operational centre in Matabeleland North Province, which encompasses seven districts: Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Lupane, Tsholotsho, Nkayi and Umguza.

A Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training visited the facility on Thursday and were impressed by the services provided. The committee pledged to engage the parent ministry to replicate the programme in all other districts within Matabeleland North Province.

The visit formed part of a nationwide tour of selected VTCs, aimed at assessing the operational state of the centres, evaluating the relevance of the curriculum and identifying areas requiring intervention.

Acting head, Mrs Sarudzai Nyoni, stated that since opening its doors in 2015, Umguza VTC has produced hundreds of graduates who seamlessly integrate into the demanding environments of competitive industries, including hospitality, construction, agriculture and clothing.

“Our courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of industries and companies across the country. Umguza VTC has established partnerships with hotels, fast-food outlets and supermarkets, where our hotel and catering students, for example, undertake their industrial placements.

“Our students have a distinct advantage over their peers from other learning institutions, as our courses emphasise 80 percent practical work and 20 percent theory. This is reflected in the positive feedback they receive from companies during their industrial attachments,” Mrs Nyoni said.

The agriculture department boasts a fully operational dairy production unit, currently housing 31 cows and calves, according to farm manager, Mr Bartholomew Njini.

Milk produced on the farm is sold to a well-established milk processing company based in Bulawayo, with some also sold to local schools and the community.

Hotel and catering students serve their dishes (left), the centre field with maize and bean crop, and dairy cattle at Umguza Vocational Training Centre in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province

“The dairy farm provides our students with invaluable hands-on practical lessons in milk production and animal husbandry. As agriculture is compulsory, every student leaves Umguza VTC equipped with essential farming skills, contributing to the Government’s advocated agricultural revolution,” he said.

The committee expressed their appreciation for the operations of Umguza VTC and were particularly impressed with the centre’s business unit.

Committee chairperson, Cde Mutsawashe Ziyambi, stated that the committee will engage the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training to replicate the business model at Umguza VTC in other centres nationwide.

“The business unit here is unique to Matabeleland North Province, but there is much that can be learned and replicated at other skills centres to make our VTCs profitable and self-sustaining.

“We want to see VTCs operational in all seven districts of Matabeleland North Province, and the work we have witnessed here demonstrates that our VTCs are capable of producing graduates who are industry-ready and prepared to embark on entrepreneurial ventures.

“The ministry itself was formed in 2023 to focus solely on vocational training and youth empowerment, and the committee will push for the establishment of VTCs in all of the country’s districts,” said Cde Ziyambi.

The committee has so far visited VTCs in Mutare, Masvingo, Filabusi and Umguza and is scheduled to visit Midlands Province today. There are 45 VTCs in Zimbabwe, along with 25 satellite stations distributed across 10 administrative provinces, divided into 64 districts.

VTCs prioritise practical, hands-on learning, rather than a purely academic curriculum. They typically provide programmes in various fields, including carpentry, welding, cosmetology, computer repair and mechanics.

The training is designed to prepare individuals for employment by imparting industry-specific knowledge and skills. Some VTCs even assist graduates with job placement after graduation.

Last year, Mr Ranson Madzamba, director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, stated that the Government is working to establish VTCs across the country.

“Our strategy as a ministry is to expand the vocational training initiative by setting up new VTCs in all districts within Zimbabwe, ensuring that young people and communities have access to skills training initiatives.

“Currently, the ministry operates a total of 45 fully established VTCs and 25 satellite centres have been set up to support these existing centres due to the demand for VTCs within communities across the country,” he said.
The Government has developed a vocational training transformation roadmap, which is being implemented until 2027.

“This exercise will oversee the modernisation of VTCs, ensure infrastructural development and quality assurance and standardisation of VTC operations. Financial models are also being developed to support this initiative, while also engaging other stakeholders within the public and private sectors,” he said.

A directive has been issued to the Public Service Commission to ensure that existing VTCs are adequately staffed.