Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation Joel Chigona has called for the prompt distribution of machinery and equipment to technical colleges across the country, stressing the importance of ensuring students immediately benefit from these resources.
“We want to see these resources reaching institutions promptly so that students can acquire the practical skills required by industry,” Minister Chigona said during an inspection of equipment at the Trade Testing Centre in Lilongwe on Thursday.
The equipment includes transformers, engines, drilling machines, plumbing tools, compressors, sawing machines, profile cutting machines, heavy-duty juice-making machines, and toolboxes, all intended to strengthen practical training for technical college students.
Mzuzu Technical College received its allocation during the inspection, joining other institutions that have already collected machinery from the centre.
Deputy Principal Lawrence Chipale described the equipment as a major boost for hands-on skills development.
“There has been a huge gap in having the necessary machinery to train fully skilled and relevant artisans. The machines we have collected today are a big plus and will greatly help in giving students market-relevant, practical skills,” Chipale said.
He added that technical colleges prioritize experiential learning, and the new equipment will help produce graduates who are ready to meet labour market and industry demands.
The Ministry has also indicated that part of the equipment will be distributed to community technical colleges nearing completion, further expanding access to skills development nationwide. So far, Salima, Soche, Nasawa, Lilongwe, and Namitete technical colleges have already collected their allocations.
Chigona’s directive highlights the Government’s commitment to accelerating technical and vocational education to better equip young Malawians for the workforce.
