With support from the European Union Delegation in Malawi, UNESCO-STEP has facilitated two regional trainings of assessors to allow trainers in the TEVET sector to update and or upgrade their assessment skills.

The back-to-back training was undertaken in two sessions which were running concurrently, one in Blantyre and the other one in Lilongwe.
Both Training programmes were facilitated by officers from the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) and drew participants from the public and private TEVET institutions, TEVETA, Ministry of Labour Headquarters as well as from the Trade Testing Centres.

The meeting followed all the COVID 19 measures where people wore masks, sanitized their hands always, and observed social distancing at all times. A total of 27 participants attended the training in Lilongwe and 16 in Blantyre.

The workshop was officially closed by the Minister for Labour, Ken Kandodo who expressed gratitude for the support the Government is getting towards human resource development particularly from the European Delegation to Malawi.

Mr. Ivo Hoefkens: Head of Cooperation and Charge’ d’Affaires and Mr. Michele Crimella: Team Leader social sector and infrastructure attended the ceremony for the Lilongwe team.

Mr Ivo Hoefkens presented a speech and, in his speech, he highlighted the following: The EU, UNESCO, the Ministry of Labour and TEVETA are close partners engaged in supporting the Malawian human capital. EU NIP 11th EDF for secondary and Tevet is a focal sector for a tot envelope of EUR 200M.

He went further to advise that; “Zantchito” is soon to be implemented though there is need for a collective and thorough assessment of the successes and challenges of the previous phase. Further, alignment to new sector policy set up (NESIP 2020-2030, current revision of the Tevet Policy and Act, and announced 1M Job strategy) needs to be ensured.

The EU Team Leader indicated EU’s willingness to carry on its support through Zanchito programme. The other speakers, apart from complimenting UNESCO for facilitating the training through STEP, asked the participants to go back to their respective work places and implement all that they have learnt so that they improve training by carrying out proper and credible assessments.

The closing ceremony in Lilongwe had the Minister of Labour Hon. Ken Kandodo, M.P. as the guest of honour who emphasised that Malawi needs relevant skilled labour-force for it to move out of poverty bracket.

Above is the Lilongwe team posing for a group photograph. Below (left) The Minister of Labour Ken Kandodo (right) Mr Ivo Hoefkens-EUD Head of Cooperation and Charge’ d’Affaires