Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru– A total of 21 graduates among them 13 prison inmates and eight Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers at Whawha prison were on March 11 awarded certificates after being trade tested in various skill training programmes.
The 21 were trade tested in fields of motor mechanics, auto electricals, panel beating, spray paintings and welding.
Speaking during the ceremony, Regional Registrar in the department of Industrial Training and Trade Testing Elimon Kahle congratulated the correctional services institution for training inmates against the backdrop of the pandemic.
He added that through such trainings, the ZPCS was living up to its name.
“Let me congratulate Whawha prison for successfully training inmates to become skilled workers against the backdrop of the pandemic and hosting an extraordinary graduation ceremony.
“The ZPCS staff is extraordinarily dedicated, capable, compassionate and caring as it is living up to its name. The pass rate for the trade tests was 100percent and this shows the staff took their time to train and have the documents of the inmates processed and submitted. It is therefore my plea that the prison registers a vocational training college to cater for inmates and other members of society in various courses. The prison can also venture into manufacturing that is clothing for the general public and value addition of food items,” he said.
He added that trainings were based on the education 5.0 framework, as it included delivery of goods and services to society.
“Damaged vehicles were repaired and are back on the roads. Education 5.0 model ensures production of goods and services and focuses on teaching, community services, innovation and industrialization as opposed to education 3.0’s focus on just teaching.
“As inmates are going to be released into the society after serving their prison term, these skills will help them to reduce the rate at which incarcerated people who are released return to prison due to life changing skills which has been imparted to them,” Kahle said.
ZPCS Officer Commanding Midlands province, Commissioner Nelson Chikwature said the rehabilitation process if well planned and followed is a life changing opportunity.
“Our mandate as the Correctional Officers is to rehabilitate inmates by offering them life changing skills and opportunities where they get in-service training in different trades which they would use when they are in the open world.
“I am made to understand that these 13 inmates together with one ex-inmate Talent Chikono began this journey in November 2020 when they wrote their theory exams and passed. A few officers decided to join them and the team worked together regardless of social class to become big achievers as they also passed their respective trades when they were practically tested. To the Manpower Planning and Development officers, the ZPCS is very grateful for your support as you made this event a success by accommodating our fellow brothers who are incarcerated to become skilled manpower,” he said.
The certificate which the graduates received were a national qualification which is recognized locally, regionally and internationally.
