Zambia: More than 800 students have graduated in various skills and fields from diverse institutions in Ndola District. The students have been sponsored through the Constituency Development Fund and completed their education in the Copperbelt Province.
The officials have shared that the Graduation Ceremony for the students was hosted at Main Masala Skills Training Center. Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Augustine Kasongo attended the event on their a applauded Governments efforts of giving 846 youths an opportunity to obtain skills and to enhance their capability of being self-reliant.
The officials have shared that the students who have graduated were sponsored from the 2023 and 2024 CDF skills and bursaries programme. He has since commended the council for increasing the number of students graduating this year from the 503 students who graduated in the past three years.
The Permanent Secretary congratulated the Ndola council for training students and holding a successful graduation ceremony.
Kasongo highlighted that the ninth joint graduation ceremony for Ndola city council includes Mushili, Chifubu, and Mine Masala skills training centers.
He noted that the Government has embarked on education reforms so as to promote entrepreneurship and practical skills required by the industry.
The Permanent Secretary noted that skills development is key to improving entrepreneurship skills among the youths.
Ndola District Commissioner, Joseph Phiri has urged the graduates to put into practice what they have been taught.
Mr Phiri cautioned the students to use their practical skills with an entrepreneurship mindset for them to be successful in their endeavours.
He noted that the Government on the other hand has already created an enabling environment through the introduction of the CDF skills and bursaries programme.
The District Commissioner has since called on graduating students to consider forming groups and cooperatives and apply for CDF grants and loans for start up businesses.
Mapalo Chiti a graduate from Chifubu Skills training Center, who graduated with a certificate in catering has thanked the Government for the skills he has acquired.
A parent to two of the graduates, Joseph Mulenga has recommended the Government for coming to his aid by sponsoring two of his children in plumbing.
Mulenga has called on other parents to embrace the skills and bursaries initiatives under CDF and enrol their children to deter them from illicit beer drinking alcohol and substance abuse.