Vice president Nalumango calls on youths to seize skills, career opportunities at national fair

Vice President Mutale Nalumango has reaffirmed government’s commitment to building a skilled, innovative, and job-ready youth population through expanded access to skills training, entrepreneurship support, and employment pathways.

Speaking at the 2026 National Youth Week Careers Fair held on Tuesday at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre under the theme “Arise and Soar,” Nalumango said the initiative would focus on key sectors such as digital technology, agribusiness, manufacturing, the green economy, creative industries, and sports.

She highlighted ongoing programmes implemented through various ministries, including Youth Resource Centres, apprenticeship and internship programmes, digital skills development, youth empowerment funds, and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) support for education and enterprise development.

“The future belongs to those who are skilled, adaptable, and prepared,” Nalumango said, urging young people to take full advantage of the Careers Fair to explore opportunities, build networks, and make informed decisions about their futures.

She described the Careers Fair as a strategic platform designed to bridge the gap between education, skills development, and industry demands, calling on youth to equip themselves with relevant skills to thrive in today’s competitive labour market.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, described the fair as a practical response to the challenges young people face in accessing information on career pathways and skills development opportunities.

“With over 30 exhibitors from higher learning institutions, training providers, the private sector, and youth-led organisations, this fair reflects the diversity of opportunities available to our young people,” Nkandu said.

He further encouraged participants to engage actively, particularly in entrepreneurship pitch sessions, noting that innovation and enterprise remain key drivers of job creation and economic growth.

The Careers Fair forms part of the 2026 National Youth Week celebrations, aiming to strengthen linkages between education, industry, and employment while empowering young Zambians to rise above challenges and realise their full potential.

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