Expanding youth employment in Zimbabwe through vocational skills training
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$2,680
This is a project to equip Chipinge College of Horticulture in Zimbabwe with new machinery, tools, and materials across eight vocational training departments.
It is directly benefiting 130 youth from disadvantaged backgrounds by strengthening hands-on learning and improving their chances of employment or entrepreneurship after graduation.
- Region 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
- Sector Education
- Stage Pilot
Since 1995, Chipinge College of Horticulture has quietly trained young people in practical trades, from motor mechanics to cosmetology, often with limited resources and minimal funding.
Administrator Victor Ngwenya and his dedicated team of ten staff continue to witness the transformative power of opportunity. Many of their students come from child-headed households or families struggling to survive on very low incomes. Most can barely afford the modest $150 per semester in fees, which the college relies on to pay tutors and purchase materials.
Despite these challenges, the college has remained a cornerstone of practical education in the community. Graduates have launched small businesses, found work in the construction and beauty industries, and become role models to their peers.
Why this matters
Zimbabwe’s youth unemployment rate remains one of the highest in Africa. In communities like Chipinge, many young people leave school without clear career pathways, leaving them vulnerable to drug abuse, early pregnancy, and exploitative work.
Vocational training provides a crucial bridge to opportunity, but only when it is practical, well-equipped, and relevant. Limited government support and widespread poverty have long constrained the potential of institutions like Chipinge College.
What the project will change
This project will upgrade the college's ability to deliver hands-on vocational training to their 130 students. With new sewing machines, welding kits, computer equipment, and beauty tools, students will no longer have to share outdated or broken equipment during their training.
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Technical stuff
The Details
- Equipment procured 0
Updates
From the field
Chipinge College vocational training equipment procured
Posted 13 Jan 2026
Chipinge College of Horticulture – Vocational Skills Training Department (YEP) has completed a round of priority purchases to improve the quality of practical training across eight vocational departments. Over the past two weeks, the college held a joint planning meeting with tutors and management, then procured equipment and materials in line with agreed departmental needs and budget allocations.
The departments supported are:
Cosmetology
Garment Construction
Welding
Motor Vehicle Mechanics
Carpentry and Joinery
Brick and Block Laying
Plumbing and Drain Laying
Computers
All purchases were backed by three quotations per item, ensuring transparent and cost-conscious use of funds.
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Activities delivered
Planning meeting with tutors and management
A three-hour meeting was convened with tutors and members of the management team to:
Review the state of equipment and materials in each department.
Agree on minimum requirements for effective practical training.
Confirm budget allocations and prioritise items for purchase.
Procurement of equipment and materials
Following the planning session, the college:
Requested and reviewed three quotations for each required item.
Purchased equipment and consumable materials for each of the eight departments, aligned to the pre-agreed budgets.
Distributed items to departments so that they can immediately be used in practical lessons.
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Summary of departmental coverage
Department | Type of support provided |
Cosmetology | Practical training equipment and consumable materials |
Garment Construction | Tools and materials to support sewing and garment production |
Welding | Equipment and materials for metalwork practicals |
Motor Vehicle Mechanics | Tools and parts to strengthen hands-on automotive training |
Carpentry and Joinery | Carpentry tools and materials for woodworking practicals |
Brick and Block Laying | Tools and materials for masonry training |
Plumbing and Drain Laying | Plumbing tools and fittings for installation practice |
Computers | Equipment and accessories to support ICT practicals |
Impact on students and training quality
With new equipment and materials now available, tutors report that practical sessions are becoming more effective. Students can:
Access sufficient tools and materials during practical lessons.
Gain exposure to equipment that more closely reflects workplace conditions.
Build confidence in core technical skills across the eight vocational areas.
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I am happy with the new equipments and materials we received as a department which will improve our training in area of practicals.
This feedback reflects a broader sentiment across departments that the investment in equipment will help raise both the quality and relevance of training.
Developments and enrolment outlook
The college expects that these improvements in training conditions will contribute to:
Stronger word-of-mouth about the quality of vocational programmes.
Increased enrolment in upcoming terms, as prospective students observe better-equipped workshops and classrooms.
A higher likelihood that graduates will meet industry expectations for practical competence.
Management has already observed interest from new students enrolling for the next term, which they attribute in part to improved training environments and visible upgrades in the workshops.
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