28 Feb 2017

Due to budgetary constraints, the Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) mobile training unit in Kazungula is scheduled to close at the end of 2016/17 financial year. This was said by Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, when responding to a question in Parliament from Chobe MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni.

The mobile training unit in Kazungula, Mr Mabeo said was established in 2013/14 to train semi-skilled artisans needed for the construction of Kazungula Bridge and the Kasane Airport.

It was funded through the Ministry of Transport and Communications, he added. Since the establishment of the mobile unit, the minister said a total of 706 semi-skilled artisans were trained.

These are 114 bricklayers; 134 tilers; 151 carpenters; 118 civil work artisans; 54 site surveyor artisans; 14 grass-thatchers; 31 painters; 54 plumbers; 10 electrical works artisans and 26 welders.

“Given the importance of the mobile unit in facilitating semi-skilled labour force for projects around the country, my ministry is considering extending the operations of the mobile unit.

Therefore, efforts to secure funds for its operation are ongoing,” he said. MP Shamukuni had asked Mr Mabeo if he was aware that the CITF mobile training unit in Kazungula was scheduled to close at the end of 2016/17 financial year.

Chobe MP also wanted to know if the minister would consider extending the life or operations of the mobile training unit for two or three more financial years, given that the mobile unit was set up to help facilitate development of semi-skilled labour force for the Kazungula Bridge Project and other government projects, ongoing and envisaged. ENDS