NOT A SHOW. A TEST OF READINESS.

“The world is in a competition,” That was one of the strongest messages from Emmanuel Walimbwa Mukhama’s 19 August COU Family TV talk show.

He explained that the skills competition model is intended to move TVET training closer to market standards. The purpose is not simply to put young people on stage and give them certificates.

It is to create a culture of practice → assessment → feedback → improvement → excellence.

In the interview, Mukhama argued that today’s economy increasingly rewards the ability to turn knowledge into useful products, services and solutions. That changes the question for TVET. It is no longer enough to ask, “What did the syllabus teach?” The bigger question is, “What can the learner produce?”

The competition brings together academic/training perspectives and industry perspectives so that participants receive feedback connected to what the market actually requires.

Mukhama described the competition as a model for reducing the mismatch between what is taught in TVET institutions and what the market needs.

The talk show also connected the competition pathway to regional, national and WorldSkills opportunities. The interview described the ambition of seeing young women progress through these levels.

CALL TO ACTION

Industry, employers and private sector actors, the next step is yours; Come closer to the training process, Judge, Mentor, Give feedback, Create placement opportunities, Buy products and Open doors.