By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
FIFTY young people who graduated from vocational skills training earlier this year received start-up kits on Friday to help them turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable businesses.
The beneficiaries were among 430 youths who completed training under the Skills2Live–SRHR Knows No Borders project, jointly implemented by Young Africa Zimbabwe and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
The graduates were trained in various vocational fields, including mechanics, hospitality, beauty therapy, plumbing, welding and catering.
The start-up kits included hairdressing equipment, motor mechanic tools, sewing machines and fabrics, as well as gas stoves and gas tanks, among other equipment.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, Young Africa Zimbabwe District Project Coordinator Perseverance Ndou said beneficiaries were selected based on their individual needs and indications that they were already putting their acquired skills into practice.
“We assessed them based on different needs. We selected those who indicated that they are doing something and may need assistance. Those are the people that we picked,” said Ndou.
IOM Beitbridge District Project Officer Nhamo Muleya said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between skills training and actual business activity.
“These kits are intended to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and actual business activity. They will help graduates begin offering services, producing goods, expanding small enterprises and building more stable sources of income for themselves and their households,” said Muleya.
He said the support should be viewed as an investment in the productive capacity of young people rather than a once-off donation.
Muleya encouraged the beneficiaries to use the equipment responsibly, keep it secure and maintain records of their sales, expenses, savings and profits.
Among the beneficiaries was Cindy Macfonate Ncube, a hairdressing graduate, who expressed gratitude for the support.
Ncube said receiving the hairdressing equipment had given her greater confidence to start and grow her business.
“I am very grateful for this support. The training gave me the skills, and receiving the equipment has given me an opportunity to put those skills into practice. I would like to thank Young Africa Zimbabwe, IOM and the Ministry for believing in young people and giving us this opportunity. I promise to use the equipment responsibly and work hard to grow my business,” she said.
The beneficiaries were urged to view the start-up kits as business assets that can help them create employment, generate income and contribute to the development of their communities.