By Wendy Mkandawire
The Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocational Education and Training Authority TEVETA has commended SOS Children’s Villages Malawi for expanding access to technical training for vulnerable young women, with 80% of graduates now running their own businesses.
Speaking on Friday at the graduation of 49 women under the Young Women Technical Skills Empowerment Project in Lilongwe, TEVETA Regional Service Centre Manager Joseph Chikopa said the partnership is increasing female enrollment in TEVET.
Chikopa stated that the partnership between SOS Children’s Villages Malawi and the government is helping equip vulnerable young women with practical skills for self-reliance.
He assured that TEVETA remains committed to supporting vulnerable learners through bursaries and scholarships, especially for females in hard skills.
Project Manager Margaret Mphwiyo said the project has surpassed its 70% self-employment target because graduates received start-up equipment immediately after training.
She said the initial target was set at 70%, but now it has exceeded 80% because they were given tools to start right away instead of waiting for job opportunities.
Doreen Jamali of Ntchisi, speaking for the graduates, said food production training helped her start a restaurant that will employ others.
Twenty-five top-performing graduates will share K30 million worth of start-up equipment.
Launched in May 2022, the project targets 360 vulnerable young women in horticulture, tailoring, hairdressing and beauty therapy, and food production.
