A group of technical college graduates from the 2022 cohort say their hopes of securing formal employment have been dashed after the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) and the Assessment and Certification Unit (ACU) delayed issuing certificates for more than two years.

Graduates told are concerned that the absence of documentation is forcing employers to reject their applications.

Speaking on behalf of the affected cohort, representative Davie Banda Solomoni who was at the Catholic-led Komboni Technical College in Lunzu, Blantyre,appealed for urgent action.

“This is a blow to us. Companies cannot employ us without certificates,” Solomoni said. “It’s painful to keep explaining verbally that we completed training when we have no proof. We passed our assessments in 2022, we need our certificates so we can start working.”

The graduates say they have engaged several senior officials at TEVET and ACU but that meetings have produced little progress.

Meanwhile, Solomoni warns that continued delays undermine efforts to promote skills-based employment and entrepreneurship at a time when the country is emphasising job creation through vocational training.

“We have met the officials several times, yet no tangible action has followed,” Solomoni added, accusing the two bodies of failing to take their concerns seriously despite repeated appeals.

Responding to the concerns, ACU chairperson Joseph Chilombo told Zodiak that a batch of certificates printed abroad has arrived and will be available for distribution from Thursday.

“We have received the printed certificates and are making arrangements to distribute them in the regional offices, then colleges starting this Thursday,”
Chilombo said, adding that the unit is working to ensure graduates collect their documents quickly.

The graduates are therefore urging TEVETA, ACU and other relevant authorities to speed up the distribution process and provide clear timelines so young people can put their qualifications to work.