Six Hundred and Ninety-Four (694) youths have been awarded government bursaries under the 2026 Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) programme in North-Western Province.

Solwezi Trades Training Institute Principal Ethel Mbewe told ZANIS in an interview that of the 694 youths awarded bursaries, 286 were female, adding that the opportunity will help to transform lives in the province.

Ms Mbewe said the initiative by government to empower the youths was commendable adding that this will enable see youths in the province to acquire skills that will transform their lives.

Ms Mbewe thanked government for the timely selection and publication of successful applicants adding that it will help the students report for school on time.

“This year the number of beneficiaries under TEVETA has reduced because we also have students who are sponsored under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF),” the principal noted.

Ms Mbewe revealed that some of the skills that the youths will be equipped with include automotive Electrical Engineering, Plumbing and pipe fitting, General Agriculture, Hair and Cosmetology among others.

She stated that the skills that the students will be equipped with will help not only to step up businesses or secure employment but also to help foster development in the province and country at large.

“Once we have skilled youths, the province will not be importing labour because we will have people that will be able to provide skills in different professions,” Ms Mbewe said.

She expressed confidence that once the youths completed the trainings, they will have bright futures.

Meanwhile, Esther Band, a beneficiary of the bursary thanked government for awarding her an opportunity to acquire a skill in Automotive Electrical Engineering.

She said the skill will help her set up her own business that will help sustain her livelihood while creating employment for other youths.