Phalombe Youth Arms Organization Executive Director, Vincent Thom, told Zodiak Online Friday that the delay is affecting youth who expected to tap various skills from the technical colleges so that they could be economically independent.

According to Thom, there is a need for government to speed up processes to ensure that the colleges are constructed to empower the youth economically.

Thom said most of the district councils development plans stipulate establishment of village polytechnics, saying few districts are implementing the initiatives; hence the call.

“Government should start construction work for the constituency technical colleges so that our youth should be able to tap technical skills in their respective areas,” said Thom.

He said Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurial Training Authority (TEVETA) is currently establishing skills development centers but they cannot reach every corner of the country.

Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation, Martha Lunji Mhone, said government is committed to ensure that the constituency technical colleges are constructed; saying they are waiting for additional funding to speed up the program.

“Government in partnership with TEVETA has started establishing skills development centers in some constituencies” said Mhone.

She has since called upon the youth to exercise patience as government is working hard to ensure that the colleges are established in all the 193 constituencies.