Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation Joel Chigona said that
Technical and Vocational training is Malawi’s super power for achieving the 2063 development vision.
Speaking on Thursday at the 2026 National Skills Competition, Chigona challenged the stigma around trades as 52Technical, Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education and Training (TEVETA) learners from the North, Centre and South battled for top honours under the theme “Showcasing Talent and Skills, Fostering National Growth”.
“Everything we use as a nation comes from a skill. We must embrace and value these skills because the economy depends on people in different sectors,” the Minister said.
He urged society to drop what he called a toxic narrative that only university degrees matter.
“There is resistance in our society that says if you don’t get a university selection letter to sit behind a desk, you have failed. We are here to dismantle that myth,” Chigona stated.
TEVETA Board Chairperson Gilbert Chilinde backed the Minister, saying national development hinges on skilled manpower.
“If the country depends on skills, it can grow in every aspect,” he said.
Chilinde however commended sponsors for supporting the competition, noting their backing motivates youth who are custodians of national development.
He said TEVETA is investing in trainer capacity and working with private sector players to improve service delivery.
Nsanje-based plumbing student Tabitha Ngomwa encouraged peers to join technical colleges: saying it is very impactful in many ways.
In Fabrication and Welding, Silvester Funnel from the Southern region claimed first position, Joshua Grenewel from the Northern region took second, while Edward Kalungama from Lilongwe Technical College in the Central region emerged third.`
Winners in Bricklaying, Plumbing, Food Production, Cosmetology, Information Communication and Technology (ICT), and Tailoring and Fashion Design also walked away with K300,000, K250,000 and K200,000, plus medals, tools and bags.
First position received K300,000, second K250,000 and third K200,000 in all categories.
