Authorities have emphasized the significance of graduates signing community bonds, leveraging their technical expertise to contribute to local development and growth.
This emphasis comes as more than 700 graduates from the Youth Challenge Support Program have signed a two-year commitment, aiming to foster the retention of skilled professionals within their local communities after completing a four months COMSIP’s training for out-of-school youths under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods.
Christina Josiah, Kasungu district coordinator for COMSIP, highlighted the importance of the two-year bond signed by the youths in retaining skilled professionals within the community.
Concurrently, Peter Beni, the Lilongwe district council youth officer, asserts that it is high time for the country to prioritize providing technical skills to vulnerable youth, aiming to alleviate poverty in the communities.
Through the Youth Challenge Support Program., COMSIP is providing training to out-of-school youths, particularly those affiliated with COMSIP groups, under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods.
Under this initiative, young individuals enrolled in the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) or Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP), and affiliated with COMSIP groups or whose guardians belong to COMSIP groups within the framework of SSRLP, undergo vocational skills training.
The youth have acquired skills in cosmetology, tailoring, tin-smiting,, building, plumbing, carpentry, welding, and other trades.
By the conclusion of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Program in 2027, COMSIP aims to have trained 4,300 youths through this initiative.
