The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in cooperation with the Government of Japan, the Government of Zambia, and Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. launched the “The Project for Promoting Youth Employment through Construction Equipment Operating Skills Training” in Zambia from 2021. This web page will provide regular updates on the progress and status of this project.

With the shift in Zambian economy towards more capital- and skill-intensive sectors such as mining, construction, transportation and manufacturing, the demand for technical skills for the operation of heavy equipment operation has increased. However, construction and mining sector employers struggle to find skilled workers who meet modern machinery operational skills requirements. The situation is compounded by the need to integrate Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies into heavy machinery operations.

Through a public-private development partnership (PPDP), the four-year project will align industrial skills development to the needs of the industry and the labour market, ultimately fostering productive youth employment. This will be achieved by jointly establishing a centre of excellence for construction equipment operator workers at the Kitwe Vocational Training Centre (KVTC). Starting from the third year of project implementation, more than 125 skilled operators are expected to graduate from KVTC on an annual basis.

Project Reports

March 2022 – Conducted the Labour Market Survey (LMS) and the Traning Needs Asessment (TNA) in Zambia.    > Report for March

 

February 2022 – Established a project office on site and conducted a study tour to interact with project stakeholder.     >> Report for February

 

Related Links

Japan, Zambia, Hitachi Construction Machinery and UNIDO to develop construction equipment operators in Zambia (29 September 2021)