The Government of Malawi, with co-funding from the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), is implementing a seven-year, €55 million Za Tchito – Skills for Jobs Programme, launched in August 2020. The initiative, led jointly by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, aims to enhance access to market-relevant skills development and entrepreneurship programs, especially for women and youth, creating an ecosystem of job creators rather than job seekers. The programme focuses on priority sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, tourism, and renewable energy. The programme has two main components: strengthening Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) institutions through improved quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of vocational training, and supporting entrepreneurship development to help graduates become successful entrepreneurs and job creators through business development services, mentorship, and access to finance.
Za Tchito targets diverse beneficiaries, including TEVET students, graduates, young entrepreneurs, and training institutions across Malawi. The programme works through a network of implementing partners including British Council, UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services), CARE International, PLAN International, Danish Trade Agency, UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), GOPA, and PROMAN. Key activities include developing Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs), enhancing institutional capacity, providing entrepreneurship training and support, fostering industry partnerships, and promoting gender-inclusive TEVET programs. The programme also supports policy reforms, competency-based training expansion, and robust monitoring frameworks to ensure sustainable impacts. These measures align with Malawi’s Vision 2063 goal to transform the country into an industrialized, middle-income nation.
As one of Malawi’s public National Technical Colleges, Salima Technical College is supported under Component 1 of the Za Tchito programme: Skills Development – Strengthening TEVET Institutions. This initiative seeks to address the country’s socioeconomic and development challenges by creating opportunities for increased access, market relevance, and equity in skills training programs essential for job creation and economic transformation. The programme’s overarching goal is to improve the livelihoods of Malawians through skills development that enhances access, aligns with labour market demands, promotes equity, and empowers graduates to become entrepreneurs and job creators.
Salima Technical College benefits from comprehensive institutional support under Za Tchito, working collaboratively with six key implementing partners: British Council (leading technical assistance for TVET coordination), UNOPS (providing project management and infrastructure expertise), CARE International (supporting inclusive development), PLAN International (promoting youth empowerment), Danish Trade Agency (contributing trade and industry expertise), and UNDP (leading entrepreneurship development initiatives).