TEVETA to Host First-Ever Malawi National Skills Competition for Youth in Technical Colleges

Malawi - The Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) is set to hold the first-ever Malawi National Skills Competition for youth between the ages of 17 and 22 who are learning different trades in Technical Colleges across the country, writes Blair Mhone.

The competition, which will first be held at the regional level concurrently on April 11 and 12, aims to showcase the skills and talents of young people in various technical and vocational fields and promote formal and informal skills development as a viable career path for young people in Malawi.

"A total of 129 trainees are expected to participate in the competition. The first phase of the competition will take place at the regional level and will run concurrently in Mzuzu, Lilongwe, and Blantyre from March 11th to April 12th, 2023, under the theme: Towards MW2063: A Skilled Youth, A Skilled Nation," said TEVETA Head of Corporate Affairs Lewis Msasa.

"Winners from the three regional competitions will proceed to the national finals in Lilongwe, which will take place in July 2023. Distinguished experts in the trades have been engaged to formulate tasks for the competition."

Msasa added that, apart from promoting skills, the competition also aims to identify areas for improvement in the teaching of technical and vocational programs.

"Skills competitions are a platform where practitioners in various trades from specific sectors can showcase and promote their cognitive, technical, and interpersonal skills. This year's competition will serve as a springboard for Malawi's participation in international and global skills contests. The main thrust of the competition is to promote knowledge, competencies, innovation, and technologies, and enhance the recognition of skills globally," he added.

TEVETA is holding the Malawi National Skills Competition in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, and it is just one of the many initiatives the authority is implementing to promote skills development and transform the lives of young people in the country.