WORK-BASED LEARNING BILL NEARS COMPLETION

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Posted by admin on March 2, 2026 at 3:13 AM

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Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, MP, has announced that the Work-Based Learning Bill, which will repeal and replace the Apprenticeship Act of 1965, is in its final drafting stage.

Speaking at the 2026 Jobs Conference organized by the Visionary Students Initiative at the University of Zambia, Ms. Tambatamba said the new legislation will modernize Zambia’s demand-driven skills development framework and align training systems with evolving labour market demands.

“Governance of all work-based learning to ensure training systems produce competencies required by industry.” She said.

Addressing structural gaps in the labour market, including Skill anticipation and forecasting, Reduction of skills mismatch, Identification of priority skills sectors, Promotion of competence-based training and Recognition of prior learning.

Evidence-based labour market planning to strategically align training investments with growth sectors.

Formal recognition of prior learning, allowing individuals with informally acquired or generationally transferred skills to be assessed and certified for employment mobility.

Pilot National Apprenticeship Programme: Coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security with the Ministry of Technology and Science, supported by the EU-funded Skills Development for Increased Employability project.

Introduces a 30/70 learning model 30% theoretical instruction, 70% industry-based experiential learning.

Facilitates recruitment and placement of apprentices in host enterprises, creating structured pathways from training to employment.

Labour Market Information System (LMIS): Provides accurate, accessible labour market data to support policymakers, employers, training institutions, and job seekers with real-time information.