Career guidance must start in early childhood to prevent students from missing critical opportunities, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, Ambassador Rudo Chitiga, has warned.
Ambassador Chitiga told ZBC’s National FM Radio that waiting until Form 4 is often too late. She emphasised the significance of instilling career awareness from an early age and stressing that career guidance should commence as early as Early Childhood Development (ECD) to enable children to make informed choices aligned with their aspirations.
“Imagine a child aspiring to become a medical doctor, receiving career guidance in Form 4, only to realise that they no longer qualify for the field because they did not specialise in sciences,” said Ambassador Chitiga.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that effective career guidance extends beyond traditional academic routes to include sports, internet-based careers, and other emerging fields. She stressed that children need to develop behaviors aligned with their career interests from an early age.
“Career guidance is not about steering your child towards the same profession as yours,” she explained. “Instead, it involves assisting them in pursuing their own aspirations by imparting success narratives of prominent figures in related fields.”
For adults seeking career transitions, including those whose jobs are being replaced by automation, Ambassador Chitiga pointed to flexible learning options at Zimbabwe Open University and polytechnics around the country.
She cited the banking sector as an example, where digitalisation and self-service platforms like internet banking have significantly reduced workforce numbers. “This is also applicable to individuals who feel that their jobs are gradually being replaced by machines. Upon observing the banking sector, one can note a significant decrease in the workforce compared to previous years, potentially attributed to the rise of digitalisation. The emergence of self-service platforms such as internet banking exemplifies this shift. It is prudent for individuals whose professions are at risk of obsolescence to contemplate transitioning to new career paths.”
The Ministry of Skills Audit and Development continues to champion career guidance initiatives that empower individuals to make informed career decisions, bridge skills gaps and navigate the evolving job market with confidence and competence.
The ministry recently partnered with ZBC National FM Radio for a career guidance session every Friday on the breakfast show.
By promoting early career awareness, fostering collaboration with training institutions and advocating for lifelong learning opportunities, the Ministry aims to equip Zimbabweans with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a dynamic and competitive employment environment.