The Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower  Development says it will soon start giving out tools to the first cohort of Community Technical College graduates  to enable them set up their own businesses.

The ministry’s Principal Secretary, Joseph Mwandidya revealed this when YFM online wanted to find out how youths have benefited in the first half of the 2017/2018 financial year.

Mwandidya said despite facing some hiccups in the past six months, they have managed to train youths in various technical colleges across the country.

“A lot has been done to benefit the youth in the past six months, one of which is the technical colleges,” Mwandidya said.

He said the ministry has procured the necessary equipment which after distribution will enable about 700 youths who graduated last year so that they can contribute to the country’s economy.

According to the Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) Authority, the tools are for those who graduated in Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery; Fabrication and Welding; Motor Cycle Mechanics; Plumbing and Tailoring and Fashion Design.

Graduates who are to receive tools are from Ngara in Karonga, Ezondweni in Mzimba, Kapondo in Mchinji, Mbandira in Nkhotakota, Mponela In Dowa, Chongoni in Dedza, Chilobwe in Blanytre, Thumbwe in Chiradzulu, Milonga in Thyolo and Naminjiwa in Phalombe.

Government embarked on the construction of technical colleges in the country with the aim of reaching out to young people in the country who among other things cannot afford tertiary education.