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However, many training institutions continue to face challenges with ageing infrastructure and equipment that do not reflect the technologies and skills required by today's labour market.Bridging this gap is central to Malawi's efforts to equip young people with practical skills and prepare them to contribute to the country's economic development.Through the European Union-funded Zantchito – Skills for Jobs Programme, the Government of Malawi, working with UNOPS and other partners, is investing in modern training facilities and equipment to strengthen technical and vocational education.The initiative aims to transform four existing institutions into Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs), each specialising in a sector important to Malawi's economic development: agricultural mechanisation at Lilongwe Technical College, renewable energy at Mzuzu Technical College, marine transport at Salima Technical College and tourism at the Malawi Institute of Tourism in Blantyre.By providing modern facilities and industry-relevant training equipment, these centres are expected to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the practical skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship. Connecting technical education with employment opportunitiesThe need for modern training facilities has long been recognised as a challenge for Malawi's technical and vocational education sector."For years, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector in Malawi has faced a very practical, very limiting constraint: the glaring gap between the outdated infrastructure our students use to learn, and the modern technology the private sector uses to work," said George Chande, Director of Planning at the Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation.Addressing this challenge requires more than updating classrooms. It means creating training environments where students can gain hands-on experience using equipment and technologies relevant to the industries in which they hope to work.In March 2026, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction of the Centre of Vocational Excellence in Agricultural Mechanisation at Lilongwe Technical College.The investment is expected to strengthen practical training in agricultural mechanisation, helping young people develop technical skills relevant to Malawi's agricultural sector and creating pathways towards employment and self-employment.Speaking at the ceremony, UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi Rebecca Adda-Dontoh highlighted the importance of expanding opportunities for young people, particularly women." By improving physical facilities and providing modern equipment, we are creating a conducive learning environment that empowers young Malawians – especially women – to secure decent jobs or start their own enterprises," she said.Improving access to modern training facilities is an important step towards creating a more inclusive learning environment, where young women and men can pursue technical careers and develop skills that respond to the needs of employers. Developing the skills to power Malawi's clean energy futureAnother important milestone was reached on 13 October 2026, with the official launch of construction of the Centre of Vocational Excellence in Renewable Energy at Mzuzu Technical College.The centre will focus on solar photovoltaics and clean energy systems, providing students with opportunities to develop practical skills in the installation, operation and maintenance of renewable energy technologies.These skills are increasingly relevant as Malawi seeks to expand access to reliable energy for communities, schools, health facilities and businesses.The investment also connects skills development with Malawi's broader ambitions for sustainable development, energy access and climate action.At the groundbreaking ceremony, Massimo Diana, Director of the UNOPS East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office, emphasised that the value of the investment goes beyond the construction of new facilities."As we break ground today, we must remember that a building, on its own, is not development. It becomes development when it equips young people with skills that employers need, when women can enter technical professions on equal terms, and when the institution has the capacity to operate and maintain the facility for years to come," he said.This message reflects an important objective of the programme: ensuring that investments in infrastructure and equipment translate into lasting improvements in the quality and relevance of technical education.The Ambassador of the European Union to Malawi, Daniel Aristi-Gaztelumendi, also highlighted the links between clean energy skills, climate action, private-sector development and youth employment.The Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation, Hon. Joel Chigona, reinforced the Government's commitment to developing the skilled workforce needed to support Malawi's transition towards a more sustainable and productive economy. Building strong institutions through partnershipsThe Zantchito – Skills for Jobs Programme demonstrates how collaboration between national institutions and development partners can support Malawi's long-term development priorities.The programme brings together the Government of Malawi, the European Union, UNOPS, the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA), the British Council and other partners working to strengthen the country's technical and vocational education system.As part of this collaboration, UNOPS is supporting the design and construction of modern training facilities, procurement and installation of specialised equipment, and planning for the long-term operation and maintenance of the infrastructure.These investments are intended to provide institutions with the physical facilities and tools needed to deliver practical, industry-relevant training.Equally important is ensuring that the institutions have the capacity to manage and maintain these facilities and that training programmes remain responsive to the changing needs of employers and the labour market.Looking beyond constructionWhile construction is progressing at Lilongwe and Mzuzu Technical Colleges, preparations for the remaining two Centres of Vocational Excellence are also advancing.At Salima Technical College, the planned facilities will support specialised training in marine transport, while the Malawi Institute of Tourism in Blantyre will focus on strengthening practical training for the tourism and hospitality sector.Together, the four centres are expected to expand access to specialised technical education and support the development of skills relevant to important sectors of Malawi's economy.The programme's ambition goes beyond modern buildings and equipment. It is about creating opportunities for young Malawians to develop practical skills, pursue meaningful careers, establish businesses and contribute to their communities.It is also about encouraging greater participation of women in technical fields and helping institutions prepare graduates for the demands of the labour market.Ultimately, the success of these investments will be measured not only by the facilities completed, but by the skills developed, the opportunities created and the lasting contribution they make to Malawi's future workforce.