Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
THE skills review roadmap tops Zimbabwe’s productivity agenda as government and the private sector target relevant skills for economic sectors in line with Vision 2030.
Government is this week meeting private sector players in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, tourism and construction to find lasting solutions to the skills gap affecting firms.
A review of the skills is also a key issue with focus on the impact of technology on skills, labour market demands, skills retention and how Zimbabwe’s industry should respond to future skills requirements.
Private sector players have described the review as key in increasing productivity.
“There is a lot that is happening within the country’s labour market to the extent that it is the ability of industry to get the right people who can deliver in light of the changing global trends. Therefore as industry, we support such an engagement as it provides an opportunity to talk to government on workable systems that are vital towards development,” noted Zimbabwe Leather Development Council chairman, Mr Clement Shoko.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries national council member, Mr Henry Ruzvidzo weighed in saying, “Identifying the right skills forms the basis to boost production while several graduates are being churned yearly. The key question is over whether they are meeting the demands of the industry. No wonder why some end up being jobless, but reviewing the skills landscape we are actually helping government in setting the pace for productivity.”
Dairy Processors Association of Zimbabwe Secretary General Mrs Tendai Marecha spoke on the need to adapt to the technological world.
“From our own perspective, technology is moving fast to such an extent that such evolutions have rendered some specialty areas redundant, but that does not provide the basis to sleep but to further focus on those deliverables that in the long term entail more production.”
Government noted the importance of consultations with the private sector in addressing the skills gap and boosting output.
“The consultations are for the whole week and the idea is to assess what needs to be done to solve the skills gap. As government, we also need the private sector to find a common agenda that will propel this economy to greater heights in line with the Vision 2030 aspirations. So far, the engagements are really fruitful and we anticipate that by the end of the week, we shall come up with recommendations that will help each other,” said the Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima.
Skills development is a key feature of the Zimbabwe Industrial Development Policy set to be unveiled during the first quarter of the year.
