The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC); a body mandated to Regulate, Develop and Promote the Construction Industry in Malawi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Soche, Lilongwe and Mzuzu Technical Colleges. The MOU is for the three technical colleges to provide training in Construction Management which will enable trainees attain a certificate at the end of the course. The purpose of the program is to equip the trainees with knowledge, skills and required attitudes to enable them effectively and competently manage construction works, contracts and business to improve service delivery in the Construction Industry.
Speaking at the signing ceremony which was held in Lilongwe on the 12th of August 2019, the Chief Executive Officer of NCIC, Ms. Linda Phiri expressed her gratitude for the arrangement saying that the arrangement re-enforces the Council’s role in coordinating stakeholders’ efforts in making the Construction Industry in Malawi to be sustainable and internationally competitive. She said, “I am happy that this MOU you recognize the fact that efforts to making the Construction Industry in Malawi sustainable and internationally competitive requires a multi-facetted and collaborative approach”. She further urged the responsible ministry, Ministry of Labour, Youth Support and Manpower Development to continue providing guidance and support to both the concerned technical colleges and the Council for the parties to realize objectives of the program.
On his part, the Director of Technical and Vocational Training, Mr. A. D. Matemba said he was excited with the development saying that as a ministry responsible for vocational training and manpower development they had a role to play to ensuring that the labour force in the construction industry produces quality products for the development of the country. He further indicated that his ministry has embarked on measures to make technical colleges more independent to enable them accelerate decision making thereby and enable them to freely enter to productive arrangements such as the one at hand.
On their part, principles of the three technical colleges pledged to live up to the expectations of the MOU and implored both the ministry and the Council to hold their hands through both technical and financial support for them to successfully delivery the program.