Tendai Muererwa
Mutare-The Mutare Skills Programme is reshaping the livelihoods by equipping communities with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge.
Recently more than 700 beneficiaries graduated from the Government led initiative aimed at creating a new generation of business owners.
The graduates, who completed the Accelerated Community Skills Training Programme (ACSTP), received certificates during a graduation and certification ceremony held at Sakubva Beit Hall, marking a significant milestone in efforts to promote self-reliance and economic empowerment.
Through the Mutare Skills Programme, beneficiaries were trained in various technical and enterprise development areas including mushroom farming, detergent manufacturing, entrepreneurship, business management and strategic planning.
The initiative, implemented through a partnership between the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the Zimbabwe Chamber of SMEs and the Zimbabwe Open University, seeks to transform communities by providing skills that can be converted into sustainable income-generating projects.
Women dominated the latest group of graduates, accounting for 80 percent of the beneficiaries, while men constituted 20 percent, highlighting the programme’s contribution towards promoting women’s participation in economic activities.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Minister of Women Affairs Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the Mutare Skills Programme reflected Government’s commitment to empowering citizens through skills development and entrepreneurship.
“Government remains committed to empowering women, youths and MSMEs through skills development, entrepreneurship and access to economic opportunities as part of efforts to build resilient communities,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa urged graduates to use their acquired skills to establish businesses and contribute towards economic growth.
“No business begins large. It grows through patience, commitment and continuous learning. You are the new generation of entrepreneurs who will shape the character of the Zimbabwe SMEs sector, which is the pulse of the economy,” she said.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza said the Mutare Skills Programme was an important intervention in addressing unemployment by giving residents practical skills that improve livelihoods.
“This skills development programme is benefiting the youths mostly who had nothing to do. This year alone we managed to train close to 2 000 people, mostly youths and women, and most of them are now doing work-related learning at various places, while some have even started their small businesses,” said Minister Mugadza.
He said empowering citizens with skills was critical in ensuring communities actively participate in economic development.
Meanwhile, Chamber of SMEs and Federation of Cooperatives chairman Kudzai Makore said the collaboration between Government, the Zimbabwe Open University and SMEs organisations demonstrated the importance of partnerships in developing successful entrepreneurs.
He said the programme was not only focused on technical training but also equipped beneficiaries with business knowledge needed to build sustainable enterprises.
As Zimbabwe continues implementing the National Development Strategy 2, the Mutare Skills Programme is expected to play a key role in promoting inclusive economic growth by creating opportunities for women, youths and community-based entrepreneurs.
The graduates are now expected to use their skills to establish businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute towards the growth of Mutare’s local economy.
