The Ministry of Technology and Science today launched the Energy Skills for Youth Project. The initiative comes at a crucial time in Zambia’s Socio-economic development trajectory as we seek to harness the power of our youth population to drive our green and digital transformation from the onset.
Our guest of honor at this prestigious event was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Technology and Science Eng. Dr Brilliant Habeenzu. In his remarks he reiterated that our mission and vision as government is to empower our young people with practical future-proof skills they need to thrive in an evolving economy.
The Energy Skills for Youth project(ES4Y) responds to this mission by delivering specialized skills in solar photovoltaic technology. This is a sector with enormous potential for job creation, sustainable energy access and climate resilience. This project strongly aligns with the 2020 Tevet Policy which emphasizes Industry responsive training, Competence –based training models tailored to market needs, Increased access to skills development for women, youth and persons with disabilities, strengthened linkages between training Institutions and Industry to improve employability and entrepreneurship outcomes.
As this project is being implemented at Luanshya Technical and Business Collage and Lusaka Vocational Training Collage as pilot institutions with oversight from TEVETA, we are also building capacity and quality assurance systems that reflect the highest standards of modern vocational education.
The ES4Y project will equip at least 500 young people in its first Phase with Solar Energy Installation and Maintenance Skills, Upgrade workshops, learning materials and instructor capacity, prioritize gender equality and rural inclusion, ensuring no one is left behind, Create bridges between skills training and actual economic opportunity through strong private engagement.
The Energy Skills for Youth Project is key to realization of the broader national goals under the National Development Plan which prioritizes Skills development and Job creation, Vision 2030 which envisages Zambia as a prosperous middle –income country with skilled labour force, the National energy policy which promotes renewable energy access and local content in the energy sector and the Sustainable Development Goals particularly SDGS 4,7 and 8.
This initiative is also in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision to create skills-based, energy secure and export oriented economy where our youth are active contributors to national and regional value chains.
