TEVET Authority Organizes Two-Day Skills Competition for Technical Colleges in Malawi

Mzuzu, Malawi - The Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) Authority has organized a two-day TEVET Skills Competition in all three regions of the country, writes Tionge Hara.

The competition has attracted 129 trainees, aged between 17 and 22 years old, from technical colleges across Malawi.

In the Northern Region, eight technical colleges are competing, and the competition is being conducted at the Mzuzu Trade Test Centre. In the Central Region, the contest is being held at Gateway Mall Car Park, and in the Southern Region, it is being hosted at Soche Technical College.

Speaking to the media at the Mzuzu Trade Test, the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Kalenga Saka, who was also the guest of honour, highlighted the importance of the competition in providing a platform for contestants to showcase their skills, which are significant to Malawi's socio-economic development agenda.

"I applaud TEVET for this initiative because youths will be able to work hard to be part of the contestants and showcase what they do, and I would like to urge them not to stop here but think big and upgrade to big universities like Luanar, MUST, etc.," said Professor Saka, emphasizing the importance of aiming high despite challenges like school fees.

Mary Phiri, the TEVET Vice Board Chairperson, explained that the competition has been organized as a platform for trainees to sharpen their vocational skills, promote innovation and technologies, and showcase their competencies.

"The competition will serve as a springboard for Malawi's participation in international and global skills contests," said Phiri, highlighting the potential for Malawi's youth to compete on a global stage.

The competition consists of six trades, namely tailoring and fashion design, automobile mechanics, fabrication and welding, plumbing, information and communication technology, and bricklaying.

Winners from the three regional competitions will proceed to the national finals in Lilongwe, which will take place in July.

Chifundo Lodzeni, the Deputy Director of the Department of Technical and Education in the Ministry of Labour, also emphasized the importance of the competition in encouraging youths to work hard and showcase their skills.

"It's always sad seeing youths doing nothing but engaging in malpractice like smoking weed and drug abuse, so we hope this competition will really help change their mindset to work hard," said Lodzeni.

The TEVET skills competition is being held under the theme: "Towards MW2063: A skilled youth, a skilled nation," reflecting the goal of developing a skilled workforce to contribute to Malawi's future success.