Skills for youth employment and rural development programme in Zimbabwe: An assessment of firms in economic subsectors
The goals of this subsector analysis study are to have a better appreciation of the efficacy of the initiatives being implemented under both the Training for Rural Economic Empowerment (TREE) and the Quality Improvements In Informal Apprenticeships (QIA) methodologies that were applied in the implementation of the ILO Skills for Youth Employment and Rural Development Programme in Zimbabwe. The study seeks to establish if: the programme was successful in enhancing young people’s skills for employment; employment opportunities were created; and if youth business ventures were viable as a result of young men and women participating in the programme. It was also anticipated that the study would yield key lessons and best practices that would inform future programming.
The study used a mixed methodology, employing document review, interviews and focus group discussions with beneficiaries, as well as in-depth interviews with the programme’s managers and implementers, as data collection methods.
The skills component of the programme proved vital for the success of the various initiatives profiled in this study. In conclusion, drawing on the empirical evidence and subsequent analysis the youth empowerment initiatives implemented by the skills programme were found to be effective. With evidence of improvements in income and subsequent improvement in quality of life among the beneficiaries of the training programme the initiative’s relevance was clearly demonstrated.