Zambia, Germany Partner on €4 Million Project to Train Skilled Workforce
The Government of Zambia, in partnership with the German Government and private sector stakeholders, has launched a major Skills Development Project at Fountain Gate in Chongwe aimed at equipping young people with industry-relevant skills.
The initiative, valued at approximately €4 million and set to run over three years, is being implemented through a collaboration between Fountain Gate Crafts and Trades School and Liebherr Zambia Limited, with support from German development partners.
Officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony, Acting Minister of Technology and Science, Mr Elvis Nkandu, described the project as a timely intervention to address youth unemployment and align technical education with the demands of Zambia’s rapidly expanding mining and construction sectors.
He commended the German Government and cooperating partners for their continued support towards youth empowerment and inclusive development, noting that the project will help bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical skills.
Mr Nkandu highlighted that Zambia continues to face challenges including a youth unemployment rate exceeding 17 per cent, limited absorption of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates into formal employment, and a shortage of skilled professionals in the mining sector.
He stressed that investing in skills development is critical to achieving Zambia’s ambition of increasing copper production to three million metric tonnes by 2031 and attaining middle-income status by 2030.
The project introduces a dual vocational education and training model, combining classroom instruction with hands-on industry experience. The four-year apprenticeship programme will see trainees split their time between academic learning and practical training, with more than 60 per cent of the programme conducted in real industry environments.
Participants will specialise in key technical areas including advanced heavy-duty mechanics, component remanufacturing, and high-voltage and industrial instrumentation, skills that are currently in high demand within the mining sector.
Liebherr Zambia representative Mr Jeffrey Johnson said the programme marks a shift towards industry-driven, technology-focused training, emphasising that modern mining operations require highly skilled personnel to operate and maintain advanced equipment.
He added that the initiative promotes inclusivity, particularly encouraging the participation of women, while integrating safety, digital tools and sustainable practices into the curriculum.
Meanwhile, Ms Anne Keppler, Regional Director at DEG, highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in driving sustainable development, job creation and innovation. She noted that the project reflects a successful public-private partnership under the developPPP programme.
German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr Nils Annen, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s development agenda, particularly in strengthening technical education and fostering private sector investment.
He commended the collaboration between Liebherr and Fountain Gate, expressing confidence that the project will contribute significantly to youth employment and industrial growth.
