Staff Reporter
A national skills audit has revealed a pressing need for stronger dialogue and coordination between Zimbabwe's tertiary education institutions and industry to close the widening skills gap and better align training with the country's economic needs.
The findings emerged from nationwide consultations held by the Government, aimed at identifying skills shortages and ensuring the country’s workforce is prepared to drive national development aspirations.
Chief among the concerns raised was the glaring mismatch between qualifications obtained in higher learning institutions and the skills required by industries.
Speaking on the findings, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, Ambassador Rudo Chitiga emphasized the importance of structured communication between the key stakeholders involved in skills development—universities, technical colleges, and industries.
"The main issue we discovered was that while there are many people involved in skills development, there is lack of coordination. There is a critical need for platforms that facilitate dialogue between industries, which need specific skills, and institutions that train students. We must ensure that graduates are workforce-ready rather than needing retraining once they enter the job market," Ambassador Chitiga explained.
One of the key challenges identified was the inadequacy of the current attachment system, which is intended to provide students with practical skills but has so far fallen short of expectations.
"The skills development process, including the attachment system, needs to be re-evaluated. It is currently not meeting its potential as an effective instrument for training the workforce that industries require," she added.
Another significant takeaway from the audit was the need for research and innovation at universities to be closely aligned with local and provincial economic resources and development goals.
Ambassador Chitiga noted that provincial endowments should inform academic research and innovations to ensure that education and training are responsive to regional economic opportunities.
"Our universities need to engage more with provincial authorities to harness local resources effectively. The innovations that come out of our institutions must be synchronized with the economic development plans of the provinces, so that our efforts are coordinated across sectors and regions," she stated.
In response to the findings, Government has already begun implementing measures to address these gaps, including the introduction of work-related learning programs at tertiary institutions. These initiatives are aimed at making graduates more aligned with the real-world demands of Zimbabwe’s evolving economy.
The skills audit underscores a broader national challenge—the need for a modernized, adaptive education system that responds to the ever-changing dynamics of the job market.
By fostering greater collaboration between academia and industry, Zimbabwe hopes to better equip its workforce with the skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development and industrialization strategies.
As the dialogue continues, the nation looks forward to further reforms aimed at addressing these challenges, ensuring that the next generation of graduates is equipped with the practical and innovative skills required to meet the demands of Zimbabwe’s growing industries.
