MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO-The Ministry of Skills Audit and Development held a stakeholder consultation workshop on skills to promote economic growth in the province.
The workshop, held at Clevers Lakeview Hotel, brought together various stakeholders to collaborate on identifying and nurturing the necessary skills for the region.
Addressing the stakeholders, Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, emphasized the importance of targeted skills development interventions to help the province achieve its goal of an US$8 billion GDP by 2030.
“Masvingo Province must facilitate the identification of skills gaps and needs, enabling targeted interventions and the adoption of emerging technologies to drive economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development,” he said.
Participants recognized that not all individuals are academically gifted, and that parents should identify and nurture their children’s practical, hands-on skills from a young age.
Leveraging vocational training centers was suggested as a way to develop these talents and prepare people for success in diverse, skills-based careers.
With the indaba unanimously agreed that it would be more feasible and cost-effective for Masvingo Province to utilize its abundant water resources (54% dam capacity) to manufacture mineral water locally, rather than relying on Harare for conferences use.
Clever Chingwara, the Provincial Director of Economic Affairs and Investment, highlighted that acquiring and honing in-demand skills can enhance the employability of Masvingo’s residents, contribute to the local economy, and enable them to tap into emerging opportunities in various sectors.
The stakeholders’ indaba resolved that development lies in equipping people with skills, to increase productivity and enabling them to utilise their own skills, ultimately reducing poverty in the province.
“Livelihood cannot be changed by resources alone, but requires the requisite skills. Resources plus skills lead to a developed economy,” said one of the participants.
