The skills being taught at various institutions such as Ruwa Skills Vocational Training Centre include manufacturing of syrups, ready to drink juice products, laundry powder and bath soaps.
Expertise in mushroom growing and broiler chicken production is also imparted to the trainees, who are charged a minimal administration fee for the training. Since the beginning of this year, two groups have graduated with certificates in various skills.
Some have started their own income generating projects while others have been absorbed into the formal sector.
Chief Executive Officer with PTUZ, Wellington Zunde, said the training opened a number of opportunities for pensioners as they would access business loans from financial institutions, knowledgeably start own businesses or seek relevant employment elsewhere.
He said the token minimal fee helps participants to feel ownership of the programme. Response from pensioners across the gender divide has been so overwhelming that PTUZ is dispatching trainers to remote areas such as Binga, Plumtree, Mudzi and other places to conduct the trainings.
Zimbabwe Government pensioners remain among the poorest in the region. They receive an average $200 monthly allowance and some get an additional $40 from the National Social Security Authority. The majority are destitute as their monthly allowances can hardly meet their basic requirements.
Post published in: News