The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through the sector skills bodies, in collaboration with cooperating partners, has announced a 12 months apprenticeship programme for priority skills.
states that the pilot programme will commence in January 2026 and will bridge existing skills gaps, demonstrate the viability of apprenticeships as a means of developing industry-ready skills, promote employability, and enhance productivity.
The media reports that speaking when she officiated at the opening of the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council Meeting in Lusaka, Ms Tambatamba said the programme will also provide lessons for scaling up the programme and attracting sustainable financing from both government and the private sector.
The Minister indicated that government recognises that changes in technology, climate change, and globalisation have transformed business models, necessitating a corresponding shift in skills to meet the evolving needs of the labour market.
“The skills advisory committee, with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the European Union (EU), working through the sector skills bodies, has developed a critical skills list for four priority sectors, namely mining, agriculture, energy, and tourism.
“The critical skills list is intended to address skills gaps and mismatches, while promoting competence-based skills development,” she explained.
Ms Tambatamba further expressed the government’s appreciation to the European Union for the financial and technical support.
And speaking at the same event, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director, Wellington Chibebe, said the organisation is actively supporting Zambia in promoting employability.
Mr Chibebe noted that ILO stands ready to support the government on the designation of selected categories of workers as essential workers, the development of a Statutory Instrument to address the proliferation of trade unions and the update of the Critical Skills List and Support for the Pilot Apprenticeship Programme.
Meanwhile, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President, Blake Mulala, stated that Zambian employees remain steadfast in their commitment of driving the national agenda of economic development and productivity growth in all sectors of the country’s economy.
Mr Mulala acknowledged that workers have demonstrated a high level of commitment and discipline towards industrial peace.
