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| Chipinge College of Horticulture 2020 graduation ceremony |
Stephen Ephraem
CHIPINGE
– Vocational students who graduated at
Chipinge College of Horticulture situated at Tongogara Refugee Camp are not
sure if they will manage to become employers in the next five years.
– Vocational students who graduated at
Chipinge College of Horticulture situated at Tongogara Refugee Camp are not
sure if they will manage to become employers in the next five years.
Most of the 78 graduates who spoke to TellZim News after the graduation
ceremony said they preferred to join formal employment than the informal
sector.
ceremony said they preferred to join formal employment than the informal
sector.
This is contrary to government’s idea for vocational training which emphasises initiating informal
businesses when one gets trained.
businesses when one gets trained.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Tongogara Refugee Camp
administrator Johanne Mhlanga indicated that the informal sector was the way to
go.
administrator Johanne Mhlanga indicated that the informal sector was the way to
go.
“Zimbabwe economy is now dualised as we have both the formal and
the informal sector. But which of the two is overtaking the other? It’s the
informal sector. Anyone who has been imparted with vocational skills should be
prepared to start own business,” said Mhlanga.
the informal sector. But which of the two is overtaking the other? It’s the
informal sector. Anyone who has been imparted with vocational skills should be
prepared to start own business,” said Mhlanga.
Guest of honour Dr Abednego Nyoni said vocational training was the
fastest way of empowering youth for the informal sector.
fastest way of empowering youth for the informal sector.
“Vocational training has five advantages which include the time
factor. Usually a course is completed in two years which gives advantage to the
student to get necessary skills and join the industrial sector.
factor. Usually a course is completed in two years which gives advantage to the
student to get necessary skills and join the industrial sector.
“The old curriculum used to prepare students for the formal sector
but now a graduate is expected to start his or her own business and be their own
employers. Graduates should go out with that in mind,” said Dr Nyoni.
but now a graduate is expected to start his or her own business and be their own
employers. Graduates should go out with that in mind,” said Dr Nyoni.
College administrator Victor Ngwenya, Chipinge College of Horticulture
incorporated students from various backgrounds.
incorporated students from various backgrounds.
“Despite being run by United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) the
centre enrolls students from different religious and socio-economic
backgrounds. Refugees from Tongogara Refugee Camp are also enrolled at the
learning institution,” said Ngwenya.
centre enrolls students from different religious and socio-economic
backgrounds. Refugees from Tongogara Refugee Camp are also enrolled at the
learning institution,” said Ngwenya.
