The launch follows a workshop organised under the European Union-funded Zantchito Skills for Jobs Technical Assistance Project and implemented by the British Council, that brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, and development partners to enhance collaboration and drive evidence-based policy reforms.
Speaking at the launch, Secretary for Labour, Nwazi Mnthambala, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to positioning TEVET as a cornerstone of human capital development in line with Malawi Vision 2063.
Mnthambala said: “It is the Ministry’s belief that the TEVET Technical Working Group will serve as a critical governance platform to support collective decision-making, improve accountability, and address persistent challenges such as weak coordination, limited private sector engagement, and financing constraints”.
She underscored government efforts to expand access to skills training, citing progress in the rehabilitation of community technical colleges across the country, made possible through strong collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government.
In her remarks, EU Team Leader for Governance, Education and Skills, Vivien Rigler, emphasized that Malawi is at a pivotal moment in shaping its labour market. She noted that limited access to vocational training, coupled with gender disparities and low financing levels, continues to hinder the sector’s potential.
“Less than half percent of the working-age population has access to vocational training and without bold action, Malawi’s growing youth population risks missing out on economic opportunities” Rigler said.
She then reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment to supporting skills development, job creation, and inclusive economic growth through sustained investment and policy support.
British Council Country Director, Melody Sango, highlighted the importance of the TWG as a platform for coordination, dialogue, and reform. She stressed that effective skills systems require strong private sector involvement to ensure training aligns with labour market needs, adding that the TWG will help bridge gaps between policy, training institutions, and industry.
The Technical Working Group is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening the TEVET ecosystem by promoting collaboration, improving policy development, and ensuring that training systems are inclusive, demand-driven, and responsive to market needs.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment by the Government of Malawi and its partners to build a skilled workforce capable of driving industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.
