Formal Apprenticeship Programme


The Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) Authority is a regulatory body that was established in 1999 by an Act of Parliament with the mandate to regulate, promote and facilitate sustainable provision of quality technical, entrepreneurial and vocational education and training in Malawi.

One of the programmes regulated and facilitated by the TEVET Authority is Formal Apprenticeship. The Formal Apprenticeship Programme is a modular competence based training delivered through registered TEVET Provider Institutions and industrial attachment. The training programme certification is done at levels One to Four of achievements, where trainees acquire practical and theoretical knowledge in the occupation of their choice. Trainees under this programme are called apprentices.

Purpose

The purpose of the Formal Apprenticeship Programme is to generate qualified and competent artisans and technicians for existing and prospective industry, thereby creating both wage and self-employment.

Apprentice

An apprentice is a person who is learning an occupation by practical experience under a skilled worker.

Fees and Training costs

The Apprenticeship Training Programme operates on a cost sharing basis. The apprentices pay prescribed tuition and examination fees directly to the training provider institutions, while the TEVET Authority pays a subsidy for the cost of training at the TEVET provider institutions. 

Benefits of Formal Apprenticeship

Acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and skills for wage or self-employment

  • Training under the supervision of well qualified trainers and experienced supervisors.
  • Exposure to industry experience, and ethics of the workplace.
  • Acquisition of a competitive and recognised Malawi TEVET qualification upon successful completion of institutional and industrial modules.
  • Generation of skilled manpower.

Accessibility

To be eligible for formal apprenticeship one should have a Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) and/or its equivalent. Credit passes in English, Mathematics and a Science subject is an added advantage. A recruitment process for the Formal Apprenticeship Programme follows an advertisement, application, shortlisting, and ultimate selection of successful candidates into registered TEVET Provider Institutions, (National (public and private) and Community Technical Colleges). The adverts for recruitment of apprentices are placed in the media. Application forms are distributed once a year in TEVET Regional Service Centre offices, District Assemblies, Traditional Authorities, Teacher Development Centres and through the TEVET Authority website. Females and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Selected candidates are notified through the print and electronic media.

Occupations offered under this programme

Based on the labour market demand, occupations in the Apprenticeship Programme, among others, include;

  • Administrative Studies
  • Automobile Mechanics
  • Bricklaying
  • Carpentry and Joinery
  • Cosmetology
  • Electrical Installation and Electronics
  • Fabrication & Welding
  • Food Production
  • General Fitting
  • Edible Horticulture
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Motorcycle Mechanics
  • Painting and Decoration
  • Plumbing
  • Printing
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics
  • Solar Photovoltaic
  • Tailoring and Fashion Design
  • Vehicle Body Repairing and Refinishing
  • Wood Work Machining

Overall, the Apprenticeship Programme helps to increase equitable access to quality and relevant TEVET in line with social and economic development initiatives in Malawi.