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Mash West Correspondent
Low enrolment figures at Mashayamombe Vocational Training Centre (VTC) are threatening the viability of institution, it has been learnt. Mashayamombe VTC principal Mr Bloodson Musatya recently told The Herald that the centre, which has the capacity to enrol more than 500 students, had been taking up 50 students.

He noted that infrastructure at the vocational centre was deteriorating as a result of not being used.
“The state of the buildings indicates that the institution is struggling and even failing to attract students that would result in the refurbishment of the infrastructure,” he said.

Mashayamombe, which also offers short courses, has an enrolment of 55 students. The vocational training centre is working on introducing short courses that cover artisanal mining to attract new entrants.

“Our short courses are demand-driven as we interact with the communities on the short courses that they would want the institution to unveil,” said Mr Musatya.

“We currently offer bakery, auto electric, bricks and block laying and bee-keeping, but the courses have failed to attract favourable numbers.

“This has forced us to look at introducing an artisanal mining course, which has been requested by the majority of the youths around the Mhondoro-Ngezi community.”

Principal director in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Major-General Everisto Dzihwema (Retired), recently urged authorities at Mashayamombe VTC to leverage on its land in order to fund the renovation of its infrastructure.

Although Mashayamombe VTC sits on a 300-hectare area, it only uses 24ha for crop production, especially maize and tobacco.
The institution has also been encouraged to venture into public-private partnerships to facilitate development and attract more students.