Expanding youth employment in Zimbabwe through vocational skills training

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.

This project is closing that gap. By strengthening hands-on training, it gives students access to modern, employable skills and the confidence to start their own ventures or secure sustainable jobs. In doing so, it supports both individual empowerment and community resilience.

What the project will change

This project will upgrade the college's ability to deliver hands-on vocational training to 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 With new sewing machines, welding kits, computer equipment, and beauty tools, students will no longer have to share outdated or broken equipment during their training.