Various stakeholders in Chongwe District have welcomed the announcement by President Hakainde Hichilema that the government plans to construct Skills Training Centres in all the 116 districts, during the first session of the 14th National Assembly on Friday. A youth activist in…

Various stakeholders in Chongwe District have welcomed the announcement by President Hakainde Hichilema that the government plans to construct Skills Training Centres in all the 116 districts, during the first session of the 14th National Assembly on Friday.

A youth activist in Palabana Ward, Dominic Moono, says the move will go a long way in uplifting the livelihoods of young people in the country, especially those residing in rural and underserved communities.

 Mr Moono said most youths in rural areas do not have the financial capacity to pay for higher education which has left them with nothing to do in their communities.

He added that skills training facilities will equip them with skills and knowledge that will enable them to start up lucrative income generating ventures to sustain themselves.

Mr Moono stated that skills training will also create job opportunities which are expected to culminate from the business activities that will be set up by youths who will be trained through the centres.

“Once youths are empowered with skills, we will see more businesses starting up and this will create jobs for more youths. This is the kind of empowerment we have been longing for as rural youths,” Mr Moono said.

He commended President Hichilema for his continued commitment towards addressing the challenges facing youths in districts across the country.

Chongwe Pressure Group for Persons with Disabilities member, Steven Kashanga, said he is confident that the establishment of Skills training centres in districts will reduce some of the vulnerabilities affecting youths with disabilities in rural communities.

Mr Kashanga noted that most youths with disabilities in rural areas such as Chongwe, have the potential to become self-sustainable but lack the necessary resources and skills to venture into income generating activities.

He indicated that skills training is among the long term solutions that will empower rural youths with disabilities, with skills that will provide them with equal opportunities to sustain themselves.

Meanwhile, Young Women in Action District Focal Point Person, Nelly Sibande, also welcomed the development, adding that it will go a long way in empowering young women to become self-reliant.

Ms Sibande said skills training will also contribute towards the reduction of early marriages and illicit behaviour among girls and young women in local communities.

“Skills training is very essential especially for girls and young women. We are confident that once we have a skills training facility in Chongwe for youths, our girls and young women will be kept busy and most importantly empowered with skills that will help them to be self-reliant.

“This will also prevent them from entering into marriage early and abusing alcohol,” Ms Sibande said.

She urged various stakeholders to partner with the government to create more opportunities to empower young women and girls in rural areas.