text: Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire has emphasised the importance of equipping youths with vocational skills.
  He said this yesterday in Zomba during the graduation of about 1 000 youths, from Zomba and Mangochi districts, who underwent a United States Agency for International Development-funded Titukulane Project.
  Mkandawire said the youth are in majority and have the potential to contribute to the country’s socioeconomic development if equipped with relevant skills.
  “Malawi needs skilful youths to develop. Most importantly, we need the youth to achieve the country’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063 [MW2063,” he said.
  Care International Malawi country director Pamela Kuwali, whose organisation offered the training in partnership with Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education Training Authority (Teveta), said they wanted to empower the youth economically.
  She said: “We supported courses such as welding, tailoring, cosmetology, plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry and phone repair which respond to market demand.
  “The training also provided the youth with mentorship to help them lead productive lives.”
  Teveta chief executive officer Elywn Sichiola said the courses were delivered to equip the youth with critical skills to increase their income potential, resilience and opportunities for self-employment.
  He urged communities and government departments to provide the youth with business opportunities.
  “The youth must be productive to increase inclusive and sustainable wealth generation,” said Sichiola.
  Cosmetology graduate Ruth Manjawira from Domasi in Zomba said with her three friends, they have set up a shop where they are running cosmetics business.
  “We have also employed another youth in the shop. We plan to generate enough income to expand the business to employ more youths,” she said.