ROSELINE MUTARE
MASVINGO-Minister of Youth, Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, has commended 909 graduates from three Masvingo Province’s Vocational Training Centres (VTC) as the future of Zimbabwe’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape.

The graduates, comprising 508 men and 401 females, completed their vocational programmes at Mushagashe, Gutu, Chivi-Mhandamabwe, and Masvingo Urban VTCs.
Speaking at the 13th Provincial Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony at Mushagashe VTC, Minister Machakaire emphasized that the skills acquired by the graduates are not a tool to employment, but to start their own companies.
“The skills you have acquired are not a tool to employment, but a tool start your own companies,” he said
Mushagashe VTC Centre Head, Ruth Kutsirai, expressed gratitude for the support received from the government and stakeholders, highlighting the institution’s efforts to achieve self-sustainability through income-generating projects.

A highlight of the ceremony was the handover of a brand-new 78-seater bus to Mushagashe VTC, made possible through partnership with Ecobank, aimed at improving student transport and outreach.
Minister Machakaire encouraged Empower Bank to continue supporting youths without imposing restrictive repayments plans for loans.
“Empower Bank should continue to support our youths without imposing tough repayment measures to empower them,” he said.