Staff Reporter

The Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavhima, has called for a national shift in focus toward identifying and nurturing critical skills necessary to drive Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.

Speaking during a media briefing, yesterday, Professor Mavhima emphasised that Zimbabwe must prioritise the acquisition and development of skills that directly contribute to national productivity, innovation, and industrial competitiveness.

He said the country cannot afford to lag behind in a global economy rapidly shaped by emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and shifting labour demands.

“We must begin to take critical skills seriously. Our development depends on them. It is no longer enough to simply produce graduates. We need to produce graduates whose skills match what the economy and industry demand,” Minister Mavhima said

He stressed that Government’s establishment of the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development was not merely administrative, but strategic in repositioning Zimbabwe as a knowledge-based economy.

“The ministry, is tasked with mapping the national skills landscape to identify existing gaps and align education and training programmes accordingly,” he explained

According to Minister Mavhima, the country’s development efforts have, for too long, been hampered by an imbalance between skills supply and labour market needs.

“Some sectors remain understaffed while others are saturated with qualifications that do not translate into tangible economic value,” he noted

He also highlighted the need for Zimbabwe to harness the potential of youth, especially in the digital and tech space.

“Young people are the future of this country. We need to guide them toward skills that matter engineering, data science, software development, and technical trades. These are the drivers of growth,” he said.

Professor Mavhima revealed that the ministry wouldsoon begin consultations with key stakeholders, including universities, polytechnics, employers, and development agencies, to align skills development policies with national priorities.

“We are not doing this in isolation. We want to hear from industry players, from educators, from communities what skills are needed now, and what will be needed ten years from now,” he added.

He concluded by reaffirming Government’s commitment to building a resilient, competitive economy anchored in relevant, responsive skills.

“Our future depends on it,” he said.

The initiative comes amid broader national reforms to modernise Zimbabwe’s education and economic systems.