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The Zambian government has announced plans to launch the US$100 million Skills Training for Resilience and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) project aimed at equipping young people with industry-relevant skills to meet labour market demands.
The STRIVE initiative will focus on strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TEVET) by targeting priority value chains such as mining, agribusiness, and hospitality.
Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati revealed this in Nairobi, Kenya, during the Skills for Jobs Policy Academy Practitioner Programme, an initiative designed to enhance skills development and promote job creation across the African continent.
Once implemented, the project is expected to directly benefit over 35,000 youths in advanced TEVET programmes and 150,000 others in trades and short courses, addressing at least 80 percent of the mid-level technician gap in Zambia’s key economic sectors.
Although the project is still awaiting formal approval, Mutati confirmed that Zambia intended to participate in the Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) to access regional funding from the International Development Association (IDA).
“This approach will allow Zambia to begin early preparations while awaiting full project approval. This is a major milestone in Zambia’s efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education in the country,” he said.
Mutati outlined key components of the project, including upgrading Level 5–7 programmes in selected public and private TEVET institutions, establishing Centres of Excellence, and piloting a TEVET student loans scheme.
He added that STRIVE would also expand access to short-term and trade-related training, improve training quality, and enhance entrepreneurship support and business development services.
Read More: Govt to revise TEVET Act, expand framework to degree-level skills training – Mutati
“Strengthening system management through interoperable information systems and Performance-Based Conditions for TEVET Fund reforms,” Mutati added.
He emphasized that the project represented a transformative step toward creating sustainable opportunities for Zambia’s young people.
“Our goal is to align skills training with industry needs, so that our youth can secure meaningful employment and drive national development. This project will ensure that training leads to real jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities,” Mutati stated.
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Technology and Science would spearhead the project, supported by a Steering Committee chaired by the Minister and comprising key stakeholders.
Mutati also revealed that the government had requested a Project Preparation Advance (PPA) to fast-track preliminary activities, with full project approval expected by July 2026.
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