Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people through enhanced skills development programmes funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Acting Chinsali District Commissioner Brenda Silwembe, says the government remains determined to expand…

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people through enhanced skills development programmes funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Acting Chinsali District Commissioner Brenda Silwembe, says the government remains determined to expand access to skills training through the CDF Skills Development Bursary Component and Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) programmes.

Speaking during the 2nd graduation ceremony of the Chinsali Youth Resource Centre held in Chinsali today, Ms Silwembe stated that the event is a testimony of the government’s resolve to decentralise skills development opportunities and ensure that youths from all parts of the country acquire practical skills for sustainable livelihoods.

 Ms Silwembe noted that the initiative is in line with the Grow Zambia Agenda which seeks to strengthen the country’s economic growth through skills development, entrepreneurship and productivity.

“As you leave this institution equipped with practical competencies in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, bricklaying and other disciplines, I challenge you to embrace a fundamental mindset shift and utilise the skills acquired here to improve your livelihoods and contribute to national development,” she said.

And Muchinga Provincial Youth Coordinator Malikana Akatama, disclosed that a total of 232 youths among them 14 in-mates, had successfully completed training in various fields under Government-supported youth empowerment programmes.

 Ms Akatama said the beneficiaries were drawn from different parts of Chinsali District and were selected on merit to benefit from the CDF-sponsored skills training programme.

She charged that the government will continue supporting young people, particularly vulnerable but ambitious youths to access vocational and tertiary education opportunities.

“I also wish to encourage our graduating youths to take advantage of the many empowerment programmes that the Government has continued to provide in order to improve their lives and become productive citizens,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chinsali Youth Resource Centre Manager Benson Mambunji, commended the government for providing scholarships to all the graduates through the CDF Skills Development Bursary Component.

Mr Mambunji explained that the support had significantly improved access to skills training among youths in the district, enabling many of them to acquire competencies that will help them become self-reliant.

He also appealed for increased stakeholder support towards expanding the institution’s training capacity in order to accommodate more youths.

“I urge our graduates to value this opportunity and utilise the skills acquired to create meaningful change in their communities through entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation,” he added.

And one of the graduates in tailoring, Emma Siatwinda, praised the government for introducing the CDF Skills Development Bursary Component, describing it as a life-changing initiative for many vulnerable youths.

Ms Siatwinda said the programme enabled her to complete her studies without financial challenges and acquire skills that will help her pursue a sustainable livelihood.

“If it was not for CDF, I do not think I would have managed to complete my studies because the Government provided everything I needed to reach this stage,” she stated.

She further urged her fellow graduates to utilise their newly acquired skills through entrepreneurship and innovation to improve their living standards and contribute to national development.

The 2026 graduation ceremony was held under the theme: “Equipped with Skills, Empowered for the Future.”