World Skills Zambia is scouting for K100 million to successfully host the World Skills Africa Competition to be held in Livingstone in April 2025.
In 2022, Zambia won the bid to host the World Skills Africa Competition which will see 1,500 participants from across Africa attending the event which will be hosted at the Livingstone Institute of Business and Engineering Studies (LIBES) next year.
Minister of Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, has since asked the private sector to partner with World Skills Zambia and raise the K100 million needed to host the continental event.
Mr. Mutati says President Hakainde Hichilema has been recognized as a champion in skills development and it will be befitting to successfully host the event in the country.
Speaking at a media breakfast in Lusaka this morning, Mr. Mutati also asked industry players to offer internships and attachments for Zambian youths who will participate in the World Skills Africa Competition.
“There is no way one can be successful unless they practice. So we are asking Captains of industry to allow our youths to do attachments, placements and internships at your companies. They need to sharpen their skills,” said Mr. Mutati.
And Immediate Past President of the Engineering Institution of Zambia, Abel Ng’andu, said the private sector must work with government to ensure that Zambian participants for the World Skills Africa Competition are well mentored.
Mr. Ng’andu said skills development is an expensive venture and that it needs a lot of support from non state actors.
Meanwhile, Project Manager for the World Skills Africa Organizing Team, Precious Lisulo, said hosting the World Skills Africa Competition will raise Zambia’s profile.
Ms. Lisulo said the event is a prestigious one and Zambia will do everything possible to make it successful.
By Eva Hatontola
