28/10/2025
Government Moves to Build Industry-Ready Workforce
October,28.2025
Chipo Nachibbatu
The Government says it is stepping up efforts to build an industry-ready workforce as part of its drive to accelerate Zambia’s economic transformation.
Labour and Social Security Minister Brenda Mwika Tambatamba says a 12-month pilot apprenticeship programme will be launched in January 2026 under the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
The initiative will target key growth sectors—agriculture, mining, tourism, and energy—to bridge the country’s critical skills gap.
Speaking during the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council meeting in Lusaka, Ms. Tambatamba said the programme will boost productivity, promote employability, and provide lessons for scaling up national apprenticeship systems.
The Minister also announced plans to classify air traffic controllers, aviation security personnel, and Electoral Commission of Zambia staff as essential workers, to safeguard peace and the smooth running of the economy.
Meanwhile, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union (EU) are supporting Government’s Skills Advisory Committee in identifying critical skills needed to drive growth.
ILO Country Director Wellington Chibebe has called on stakeholders to invest in modern training and innovation to prepare Zambia’s workforce for a changing world of work.
And Zambia Federation of Employers President Myra Ngoma has stressed the need for industry-driven skills to align training systems with real economic needs.
On behalf of workers, ZCTU President Blake Mulala reaffirmed commitment to productivity and national growth, but called for fair treatment and respect for labour rights, citing reports of abuse in the private sector that need urgent attention.
Government, employers, and workers are uniting to shape a skilled, productive, and fair workforce—paving the way for a modern, competitive Zambia.
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