‘Youths Need Entrepreneurship Skills’

25 April 2011

ZAMBIA needs to invest in training of youths in entrepreneurship skills to sustaining economic and national development, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said.

ILO senior technical advisor Jealouse Chirove said a strong youth empowerment strategy would enhance their human capital management and help to sustain the economic gains scored.

He said effective human capital would directly bear on the quality business management, service provision and thereby increase income base.

Speaking during the 2011 International Perspective on Youth Entrepreneurship training in Siavonga at the weekend, he said the programme was in line with the ILO youth empowerment agenda.

“It is cardinal for youths to diversify and start up their business in sectors like the agriculture which has few barriers when it comes to business development and growth,” he said.

The conference attracted more than 25 youth participants from different African countries.

Participants were provided with new business perspectives which would contribute to their business development.

He challenged youths to consider diversifying and develop their business in sectors that exhibited growth potential like the construction and the agriculture sectors.

He said despite posting positive growth, Zambia still had low levels of employment.

Mr Chirove said economic growth should translate into increased employment and that youths should utilise empowerment programmes in the recently launched Six National Development plan (SNDP).

He said the Government youth programmes would help in mitigating negative effects on unemployment on the country’s economy.

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