Zambia to Replace 60-Year-Old Apprenticeship Law with Modern Skills and Jobs Framework
Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, MP, has announced that the Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning Bill, which will repeal and replace the Apprenticeship Act of 1965, is at the final drafting stage.
Speaking while officiating at the 2026 Jobs Conference organised by Visionary Students Initiative at the University of Zambia, Ms Tambatamba said the proposed law aims to modernise Zambia’s skills development framework by aligning training systems with evolving labour market demands.
She explained that the Bill will govern all forms of work-based learning and address long-standing structural challenges in the labour market, including skills mismatch, weak forecasting, and limited alignment between training and industry needs. The legislation will also promote competence-based training, recognise prior learning, and support evidence-based labour market planning in priority economic sectors.
“Skills are fundamental to employability and productivity. As Zambia pursues economic transformation and diversification, we must ensure that our training systems produce the competencies required by industry,” the Minister said.
A key innovation under the proposed framework is the formal recognition of prior learning, which will allow individuals with informally acquired or generationally transferred skills to be assessed and certified, improving access to employment and formal sector participation.
Ms Tambatamba further disclosed that the legislative reforms are being complemented by a pilot National Apprenticeship Programme being coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology and Science, with support from the European Union-funded project, Skills Development for Increased Employability.
Under the programme, apprentices will follow a structured 30/70 learning model, with 30 per cent of training delivered through theoretical instruction by accredited institutions and 70 per cent through hands-on, industry-based learning. The model is intended to strengthen industry linkages, enhance practical competence, and ensure apprentices graduate with market-relevant skills.
The Minister added that the programme will also facilitate the recruitment and placement of apprentices in host enterprises, creating clearer pathways from training to employment.
She noted that, to support informed policymaking, Government has launched a Labour Market Information System (LMIS), designed to improve transparency and accountability by providing accurate, accessible and real-time labour market data for policymakers, employers, training institutions and job seekers.
“Zambia’s future depends on skills development that enables productive and decent work. By modernising our apprenticeship framework and strengthening labour market systems, we are laying the foundation for inclusive economic growth,” Ms Tambatamba said.
