Public private sector skills forum to help create jobs

Ministry of Labour, Skills Development and Innovation says the Public Private Sector Skills Development Forum will provide demand-driven training and contribute to employment opportunities for the youth.

Speaking on Friday in Blantyre when she officially launched the forum, Minister of Labour, Skills Development and Innovation Martha Lunji Mhone said the forum will help address the gap between the training institutions and the industry.

“Through this forum, we will have a competent and skilled workforce relevant to the needs of the industry,” she said.

Mhone explained that the forum will lead to enhanced involvement of the private sector in technical, entrepreneurial and vocational education and training (Tevet).

“Thus, the programmes implemented in the Tevet sector will be demand-driven and satisfy skills demand for the Malawi industry,” she said.

Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) deputy president James Chimwaza said the private sector needs a skilled, knowledgeable and motivated workforce.

“The Tevet system being a major player in development of skilled [labour]

, the private sector needs to embrace the Tevet programme,” he said.

Chimwaza said a structured forum should assist in improving the synergy between the private sector and the Tevet programmes.

“The synergy should lead to improvement in the quality and relevance of the workforce,” he said.