1,077 Youth Service Graduates Set for Government D...

1,077 Youth Service Graduates Set for Government Deployment

Oscar J Jeke – Zim Now Reporter

Government is set to deploy 1,077 graduates from the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Training Programme into various public institutions and national development projects.

The announcement was made during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing in Harare, where an update was provided on the progress of the initiative launched in May 2024.

The six-month programme is designed to equip young Zimbabweans with essential life, leadership, and vocational skills. According to the Cabinet report, the first two cohorts of graduates are now being integrated into the public sector, with placements in government departments, State-owned enterprises, the Public Service, uniformed forces, and higher and tertiary education institutions.

In addition, some graduates will be assigned to strategic national initiatives such as the Presidential Solarisation Programme, the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, and the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme.

“The first two cohorts of students numbering 1,077 who graduated from the six months’ training programme are already earmarked for employment... including special programmes such as the Presidential Solarisation Programme, the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, and the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme,” the progress report noted.

Further efforts to empower the youth include prioritising vocational graduates for start-up funding and loans. Those pursuing additional training at Vocational Training Centres will receive preferential access to financing through Empower Bank.

“Government has already made it mandatory that vocational certificates will be prioritised for accessing empowerment loans and entrepreneurial start-ups,” the report added.

The Youth Service in Zimbabwe initiative is part of a broader government strategy to reduce youth unemployment while instilling a sense of patriotism and discipline among young citizens.