TEVETA Board Chairperson, Gilbert Chilinde, says the Forum will provide an interface and bring together a wide range of experts and representatives from the sectors to share information on skills development, among others.

“There are times when the industry may want a particular skill which is not available and they will be able to exchange on this forum and a particular stakeholder will be able to address a particular challenge if it falls under their responsibility,” he said.

Executive Director of Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM), George Khaki, says whilst the development is a stepping stone in skills development, there is a dire need to review TEVET Act and policy.

“Employers feel that representation is not adequate at TEVETA Board. The employers are the ones that consume the skills produced by the TEVETA institutions out there.

“Therefore, dialogue between the institutions and the employers has not been to that stage where we can call it adequate to improve skills development. These are some of the areas which we feel the TEVET Act and policy should address,’ he said.

Labour minister, Martha Lunji Mhone, says the review will also assist government in the cause, saying her ministry will therefore champion the review.

“It is going to assist us because TEVETA funds come from the private sector so it is very important because things are changing and we need to incorporate the private sector. As things are changing, definitely the laws sometimes become outdated and as a ministry we are going to champion that one,’ she said.

The Forum was established in April this year by a Consortium of Malawi Confederation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ECAM and TEVET Authority.