The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) has challenged Secondary School students to consider taking up technical courses at tertiary level to enable them to join the construction industry. The Council said this is a sure way that will enable the students play an active role in the achievement of the national aspirations as espoused in the Malawi 2063.
NCIC Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Gerald Khonje made the remarks on Saturday, the 20th of August during Career Guidance session held at Salima Secondary School. Eng. Khonje indicated that the construction industry is a very important sector in the national development; saying that this is the very reason why the Malawi 2063 has prioritized infrastructure development as a means for creating an inclusively wealth nation.
“Indeed, construction is instrumental in improving the social economic well-being of a society. And for Malawi to achieve its national vision, we need more players in the construction industry more especially women and the youth. So, we are encouraging secondary students to work hard so that they qualify for technical courses at universities which will enable them be part of the construction industry players”, said Eng. Khonje.
Architect, Cathy Sani, who was among the role models during the Career Guidance talk also encourage girls not to look down upon themselves saying the industry needs a lot of women as it is currently dominated by men. Architect Sani who is also the president for the Architect Association in Malawi provided an insight that in Malawi there are only 43 architects, a thing she says needs to improve.
The Headteacher of the school, a Mr. Mlambala, and students of the school applauded NCIC for according them the opportunity of career guidance which they said will motivate them to work hard towards the light beacons which the role models had set for them.
“We feel privileged and favored that of all the schools in the central region, NCIC has chosen Salima Secondary School for the good news and hope to the students. These opportunities are rare, and we thank NCIC for this. The students will put the motivation delivered to them to good use’, said Mr. Mlambala.
The Salima Secondary School Career Guidance session marked the final lap in a series of career guidance sessions which saw the Council visit Chikwawa Secondary School in the southern region, Mtetete Community Day Secondary School, and St’ Augustine Community Secondary School in Nkhatabay, in the northern region.
The career guidance sessions are held as one of the key strategies been pursued by the Council to ensure women and youth fully participate in the construction industry.