Zambia lags in skills development

The Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) says the country is lagging behind in skills development in order to contribute to the growth of the economy.

Engineering Institute of Zambia president Benard Chiwala said Zambia’s participation in the on-going World Skill International (WSI) conference has provided a platform for skills development for young people.

Mr. Chiwala who is also a delegate at the 43^rd world skills international conference in Sao Paulo in Brazil said the competition provides linkages in terms of skills development which he said the country missed during her absence.

He explained that Zambia was a new entrant to the competition and only among five African countries in the competition which has existed for 50 years.

Mr. Chiwala said this in a joint interview with National Council for Construction (NCC) Executive Director Charles Mushota.

And NCC executive director Charles Mushota, said Zambia should graduate from being an associate member to being a full member of the World Skills International adding that there was also need for government’s full participation in the competition.

Mr. Mushota observed that Zambia was only participating in threes disciplines that include carpentry, bricklaying and concrete technology out of the 50 disciplines offered in the competition.

He said Zambia has a total of 35 representatives at the on-going competition, of which eight are participants and 27 are delegates.

Mr. Mushota further said actual economic development cannot be comprehended without economic skill excellency.

The 43^rd World Skills International Conference has attracted over 74 countries and 1,120 participants who are competing in 50 disciplines.

This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS by Press Secretary at the Zambian Embassy in Brazil Patson Chilemba.