The CoVE for tourism, to be constructed at Kwacha, is anticipated to become a reliable household of knowledge exchange, research, innovation, and hands-on training in cutting-edge of diversified tourism skills and job creation.
Speaking during the launch, Zantchito Technical Assistance project deputy Team Leader, Dick Maganga described the CoVEs as lead institutions in the provision of high quality vocational skills in their specific sectors as they also enable vocational training institutions to rapidly adapt skills provision to evolving economic and social needs.
Maganga said: “We are relying on MIT to keep its eyes open, to see what is happening in this modern tourism sector and come up with responses that are revolving there. The CoVEs do stimulate local business development by creating innovation hubs that support entrepreneurial initiatives for learners, it doesn’t only end in the classroom, it connects what happens at the training centre and what is needed in the labour market”.
On her part, European Union Delegation representative responsible for TEVET Portfolio, Conchita Perez, emphasized the transformative impact of the launch of the MIT Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) on skills development within the tourism sector.
She underscored that the Zantchito project embodies the collaborative commitment between the Government of Malawi and the EU to bolster human capital, a crucial pillar of sustainable development in alignment with Malawi’s Vision 2063 and the EU’s economic transformation policy.
She explained that the Zantchito Project while improving the TEVET skills to become prominent, it will enhance the employability and self-employment opportunities available to young TEVET graduates and entrepreneurs with special attention to women’s needs.
She explained that the Zantchito Project, while enhancing TEVET skills to prominence, it will augment employability and self-employment prospects for young TEVET graduates and entrepreneurs, with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of women.
Equipped with modern machinery and advanced practical hands-on tourism facilities, the centre will offer a comprehensive learning environment tailored to meet the needs of aspiring tourism industry professionals and those of industry specific stakeholders.
It is envisaged that as a stakeholder in the Zantchito project, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will construct at the MIT Kwacha site, a double storey building that will comprise administration offices and all the amenities required at the campus such as classrooms, the general stores, a clinic for students, practical demonstration kitchen, a surrounding perimeter fence and delivery of tourism specific high-tech equipment for the training needs.
Speaking representing the private sector, the Malawi Tourism Council Executive Director, Memory Momba Kamthunzi praised the British Council and the EU for the commitment to nurturing essential skills and fostering innovation in the tourism sector in Malawi.
In his remarks, director in the Ministry of Labour Richard Chirwa explained that through the Zantchito project, they have learnt through the CoVEs on the importance of collaboration to achieve the Malawi 2063, citing the coming together of the Ministries of Tourism, Agriculture, Transport, Trade among others, in the CoVEs participation.
Guest of honour at the function, Principal Secretary for administration in the Ministry of Tourism, Marjorie Shema, said the establishment of the CoVE in the tourism sector is as a unique intervention in bridging the skills gap in the tourism sector, by equipping the youth with the expertise to thrive in the ever-evolving tourism industry.
Other CoVEs in the project are: Renewable Energy at Mzuzu Technical College, Agricultural Mechanisation at the Lilongwe Technical College and Marine Transport at Salima Technical College.
