The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Supporting youth employment in Malawi
UNOPS is working with the European Union and the government of Malawi to increase access to vocational education and training opportunities in the country.
This article was originally published on 20 November 2023 and has been updated to reflect recent project developments.
Latest updates
17 March 2026
A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of works that will help transform Lilongwe College, Salima College, Mzuzu Technical College and the Malawi Institute of Tourism into centres of excellence equipped with modern facilities and industry-relevant tools – helping close the gap between graduate skills and labour-market demand.
Implemented by UNOPS in collaboration with Malawi's Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority, the British Council and the UN Development Programme, the initiative will improve equitable, safe and gender-based access to education, strengthen institutional systems and help align training with the needs of the private sector.
“By improving physical facilities and providing modern equipment, we are creating a conducive learning environment that empowers young Malawians – especially women – to secure decent jobs or start their own enterprises,” said Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi.
Read more here.
Currently, Malawi is not producing enough graduates with the technical and vocational skills needed to meet the demands of the labour market. With support from various partners, the government of Malawi is improving the employability of technical and vocational graduates.
"The government of Malawi recognizes quality technical and vocational education and training as a key sector in developing an economically active and efficient workforce, which is required for the realization of our development goals as per the Malawi Vision 2063," said Chifundo Lodzeni, Deputy Director of the Department of Technical Education.
We very much appreciate the collaboration of the European Union and UNOPS in this project.
Four currently existing colleges will be enhanced to become Centres of Vocational Excellence for tourism, agriculture engineering, water transport and renewable energy. These centres will pioneer innovation and enhance the specialization of Malawi's workforce in sectors that are crucial for the development of the country.
Using €20.5 million in funding from the European Union, UNOPS will construct and renovate technical and vocational education and training colleges in Malawi as part of a four-year project. This includes renovating existing and building new classrooms, workshops, hostels and other infrastructure within the colleges. UNOPS will also procure new, modern equipment, including computers, furniture, and learning and teaching materials.
"UNOPS is proud to be the partner of the government and the European Union in this project, which it implements together with the British Council, supporting increased youth employability and self-employment opportunities," said Rainer Frauenfeld, Director of UNOPS Multi-Country Office in Kenya.
"The European Union strongly believes in the transformative potential of vocational and technical education and training to drive job creation and economic growth," said Rune Skinnebach, European Union Ambassador to Malawi.
"That is why we are supporting the government of Malawi in advancing the development of a truly demand-driven technical and vocational education and training sector, in partnership with UNOPS, the British Council and civil society. Together, we are building a brighter future for Malawi, where skills, innovation, and economic growth go hand in hand," he added.
