Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts is finalising plans to relaunch the Internship, Volunteer, Apprenticeship, and Graduate (IVAG) programme aimed at equipping young people with practical skills required for the job market.
Speaking in an interview with the media, Ministry of Youth Sport and Art Principal Public Relations Officer Nchimunya Ng’andu says the programme, which was first launched in 2022, is being restructured, following challenges experienced in previous phases, particularly in the payment of stipends to participating youths.
Mr Ng’andu has noted that the government has drawn lessons from countries such as Nigeria, where the private sector has played a key role in successfully implementing similar initiatives.
“We are continuing to engage the private sector so that as they come on board, we see how best we can work together,” he said.
He explained that the programme is designed to provide young people with at least one year of work experience across government institutions, private companies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which greatly enhances their employability.
Mr Ng’andu added that some beneficiaries from previous phases were absorbed into employment after demonstrating exceptional performance during their placement period.
He acknowledged that although the programme had been well intended, challenges arose when some cooperating partners withdrew before fulfilling their obligations, leaving the government to source resources to pay outstanding stipends.
He disclosed that that all the 2000 beneficiaries were eventually paid and that the government is now addressing all gaps to avoid similar challenges when the programme is re-launched.
He further revealed that the exact date for the relaunch has not yet been set, as consultations are still ongoing.
Are you guys nuts????? You sign up in a partnership – it has to be a closed partnership – where the other partner cannot walk away when the going gets tough – you put up our taxes/our money so that these guys can get it for free, BUT THEN DON’T want to complete the program as agreed???? Do we have an ATTORNEY GENERAL advising on these partnerships or is he simply enjoying some Lutuku in some corner of Lusaka???