Project implemented from April 2023 to March 2025
Malawi is experiencing an increase in both national and international investments in the agricultural sector which is set to generate around 18,000 jobs in the country. The government is dedicated to attracting diverse investments, including from the EU, aligned with its strategic vision for the sector.
The EU and BMZ-funded VET Toolbox project was designed to enhance the delivery of demand-driven skills to cater for investment needs in 11 selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of the project was to support human capital development to enhance investment in supply chains in these selected countries, through the implementation of targeted skills development and by strengthening VET delivery systems for employment opportunities, especially for youth. It aimed to improve the effectiveness of VET systems by making them more opportunity-driven to drive inclusive economic growth, social development and the creation of decent jobs.
In Malawi, the Enhancing Commercial Farming in the Shire Valley project focused on supporting skills development in the agriculture sector. By working alongside the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP), it aimed to establish and pilot a framework for developing skilled human resources to support agricultural commercialisation. The project was delivered in the Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts of Southern Malawi.
Our impact
VET Toolbox has collaborated with public and private partners to increase the local benefits of national investment programmes in the agricultural sector. It guarantees new employment opportunities for the local workforce. Notable accomplishments included:
- Developing occupational standards and curricula for two training courses in Irrigation Infrastructure and Farm Machinery to close the identified skill gap in response to private sector needs and directly respond to job opportunities linked to the SVTP.
- Piloting the two fundamental training courses by training 210 students across three vocational training institutions. All students also completed a six-week work-based experience learning placement with a local farm enterprise to put into practice the theoretical skills they had learned.
- Formalising public-private dialogue (PPD) through a sector-specific local Technical Working Group linked to the national platform (PPSDF). The Technical Working Group fosters collaboration between employers, VTIs and governmental ministries, departments and agencies, regulatory bodies, and other relevant stakeholders, collecting and sharing knowledge and best practice.
Upscaling and sustainability
- The SVTP will generate agricultural investment in commercial farming in the Shire Valley over a period of 14 years which promises the creation of 18.000 jobs in the area, providing sustainable employment for graduates.
- Leadership and management of the Technical Working Group has now been handed over to the Chikwawa District Council. Moreover, embedding the forum into the national PPSDF has the potential to ensure the impact and sustainability of PPDs beyond the end of the project. Moreover, the tested PPD format may be replicated and applied to other sectors.
- The four-year Zantchito Skills for Jobs project, led by the British Council and funded by the EU will leverage best practices from the VET Toolbox project to improve the sustainability of training programmes, dialogue fora and partnerships.