Govt serious about tackling youth unemployment

ON OCTOBER 1, more than 2,000 young people will step into offices across the country as part of Zambia’s largest ever national internship programme. This measure, announced by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, is highly commendable.

More than just empty rhetoric, it demonstrates Government’s seriousness about the future of its youth. The programme will give young people real work experience, mentorship, and the confidence to build lasting careers.

For years, many graduates have struggled to find jobs because they are told they lack “experience”. This programme is designed to break that cycle. Interns will be placed in ministries, agencies and provincial offices, not to sit idle, but to take on meaningful responsibilities.

They will be mentored, supervised, and given space to learn. Government has even cleared a K5 million debt left by the previous administration to make sure interns are paid. That shows seriousness. It shows respect for young people’s contribution.

But this internship is only one part of a bigger story. Since 2021, Government has recruited tens of thousands of teachers, nurses and defence personnel. Over 45,000 teachers have been employed, bringing hope to classrooms that were overcrowded and giving young graduates a chance to serve.

Thousands of nurses and health workers have joined the system, strengthening hospitals and clinics while creating jobs for young professionals. Defence and security wings have also opened their doors, offering disciplined employment pathways for young people and reinforcing national security.

Then there is the Zambia National Service voluntary programme. This is not about military drills alone. It is about giving young people practical skills in farming, construction and other trades. It is about teaching, discipline, self reliance and entrepreneurship. In a country where many young people end up in informal work, ZNS is helping them see themselves not just as job seekers but as job creators.

Put all these measures together and you see a clear pattern. Government is not waiting for unemployment to get worse before acting. It is taking proactive steps – creating jobs directly, opening up internships, and building skills through voluntary service.

This is a multi layered approach. Some young people will find formal jobs in schools, hospitals, or defence. Others will gain experience through internships. Others will learn trades through ZNS. Each pathway matters. Each one helps reduce unemployment and gives young people a chance to contribute.

The problem of youth unemployment has been building for decades. Successive governments allowed it to grow, and it is not a challenge that will vanish overnight. But what matters now is that the UPND government is laying a strong foundation to turn the tide.

The measures being taken are not only tackling unemployment head on; they are also helping to grow the economy. The internship programme is an important bridge between education and work and will give the thousands of young people the experience they need to enter the labour market with confidence.

The mass recruitment of teachers, nurses and defence personnel has absorbed graduates while strengthening essential services that touch every household. As we commend the Government for such a forward looking initiative as the national internship programme, we must also urge all officers involved to match the Government’s seriousness.

Interns should not be treated as bystanders or given token duties. They must be assigned real tasks that build skills and confidence. Our youths need to be prepared for the demands of the labour market.

When interns are entrusted with real responsibilities and guided through genuine mentorship, they will not only gain experience but also confidence. That is how this initiative can help transform today’s opportunities into lasting progress for the nation. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home