MARTIN MAWAYA
KWEKWE-The Ministry of Skills Audit and Development has called for a collaborative skills development agenda to produce graduates and learners with qualifications that are relevant for the industry.
Speaking during the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development Strategic Plan in Kwekwe recently, Skills Analysis Director, Victor Cheure, said the industry and academia should engage in dialogue on how to bridge the skills gap.
“There must be dialogue between industry and academia. We need to align national skills to the digital economy. Our skills should be built in line with the current technological trends such as artificial intelligence,” he said.
Cheure noted that Zimbabwe has become more certificate-oriented rather than skills-oriented.
“People have Masters and PhDs but are offering nothing to the country. We have a high literacy rate, but the skills base is very low, and we are more certificate-oriented,” he added.
According to the ZIMSTAT 2022 report, Zimbabwe’s literacy rate stands at 93.7%, while the skills base is lagging behind at 38%.
Continuous learning and skill development are essential for fostering innovation and a learning culture that promotes career growth, belonging, and risk-taking, while encouraging inclusive behaviors and training.
The Skills Audit and Development department is mandated to conduct skills audits every three years and a national critical skills audit every 10 years.
