The Nkhotakota Youth Vocational Skills Centre

Program Description

Established in 2004 with support from the Malawi Social Action Fund (Masaf). The centre has evolved. Flora Upper Secondary School in Norway, since 2010, has supported the centre in its current state. The centre has increased its capacity in terms of physical infrastructure, equipment, tools and staff capacity building. This has been made possible with support from development partners that have come on board to support the organisation.
The centre has increased access to vocational training. Over 3000 young people have been trained in various trades that are in demand in the labour market, both formal and informal. Today, it provides training to young people in Fabrication and Welding, Tailoring and Fashion Designing, Food Production, Carpentry and Joinery, Solar and Electrical Installation, Entrepreneurship and ICT.
The centre is accredited by the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education Authority (Teveta). The mode of delivery of the training is both informal and formal training based on competence-based education training (CBET).

Objectives of the Programme

Train young people in technical vocational education and entrepreneurship that is consistent with the demand on the labour market. Strengthen vocational training and enterprise incubation. Scale up support for graduates through start-up toolkits and mentorship. Expand digital literacy programs for youth and women, and introduce advanced ICT skills programs at the Vocational Training Centre. 15. Target Group for this Program
The most marginalised youth and women from Nkhotakota and beyond.

Key Activities

• Provide vocational skills training to youth, women and vulnerable groups.
• Implement apprenticeships and internship programmes to strengthen work-based learning.
• Deliver digital and blended learning programmes for skills development.
• Collaborate with industry experts for curriculum development and practical demonstrations.
• Conduct business management training for youth and women entrepreneurs.
• Provide mentorship on business idea development and enterprise growth.
• Facilitate business idea pitching sessions for vocational skills trainees.
• Support entrepreneurs in business plan development and feasibility studies.
• Train apprentices in SRHR and HIV/AIDS Conduct digital literacy clinics for youth, women and other vulnerable groups.
• Conduct a study to identify key advanced digital skills being sought by the target groups
• Roll out advanced digital skills programs

Impact / Results (if available)

• Increased household incomes of the apprentices as a result of diversification in revenue streams. Some of the apprentices’ enterprises can generate revenue in excess of MK1mn monthly.
• 40% girls have completed their training. The majority of the girls were drawn from the most impoverished households in the community through the assessment that the organisation conducted.
• Over 60 groups of young people have received business start -up kits and grants.  
• 51% of the graduates secured permanent employment.
• 21% of the apprentices are in temporary employment.
• 28% of the graduates were involved in self-employment. Increased self-reliance of young people who have been trained at the centre.
• Increased enterprise survival rate of the businesses established by the apprentices as a result of entrepreneurship training offered at the centre.
• Enhanced digital skills of the youth as a result of the ICT training conducted.

Overall there is an improved economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods among youth and marginalised groups through increased access to skills development, entrepreneurship opportunities, and productive resources. In turn, inclusive economic growth driven by youth and resilient