Phalombe district youth officer Ian Sukali has urged youths who were trained in vocational skills to utilise them to get employment or start businesses.
He made the call on Friday when he visited Ufulu Wathu Community-Based Organisation (CBO) where 17 youths are learning tailoring and designing and motorcycle mechanics with support from ActionAid Malawi.
Sukali said it was sad that while government and non-governmental organisations trained many youths in vocational skills in the district, but most of them are just idle.
“We have been following the youth after training, but to our surprise, most of them are doing nothing as they have just left their materials idle,” he said.
On his part, Ufulu Wathu CBO programme coordinator Symon Thipa said they wanted to empower the youth to be financially independent.
“Not many youths will be employed; hence, the initiative will help them earn money to support their families,” he said.
In a separate interview, ActionAid Southern Region Cluster coordinator Landani Masingati said his organisation was targeting to tain about 300 youths in vocational skills in the district.
Cyphia Makhera, who is training in motorcycle mechanics, said he expected to start his own workshop after graduating.
ActionAid is training the youth under Youth Economic Empowerment Activity in Vocational Skills Project
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