Joel Chigona orders fast equipment delivery to colleges

Gear is sitting around, the minister wants it rushed to colleges, and students need hands-on skills yesterday.

Minister pushes fast equipment rollout

• Joel Chigona demands the quick delivery of training machinery to technical colleges.
• Says delays block students from gaining job-ready skills.
• Inspected stored equipment at the Trade Testing Centre in Lilongwe.

What machines are on the table

• Stock covers engines, transformers, and drilling units.
• Adds plumbing kits, compressors, saws, and cutting machines.
• Also features heavy-duty juice makers and toolboxes.

Who already got equipment

• Mzuzu Technical College collected its share during the inspection.
• Salima, Soche, Nasawa, Lilongwe, and Namitete collected earlier.
• Distribution is staggered through the central depot.

Colleges react on the ground

• Lawrence Chipale calls the delivery a major lift for hands-on training.
• Says gaps in machinery hurt artisan readiness.
• Expects stronger links between training and labor demand.

Expansion beyond the main colleges

• Ministry plans allocations for community technical colleges nearing completion.
• The aim is wider access to skills training nationwide.
• Focus stays on practical learning outcomes.

Government signal to youth

• Drive is framed as speeding up technical education.
• The message centers on workforce readiness.
• Pressure stays on institutions to deploy gear fast.