Stephen Chadenga
River Valley Chief Executive Officer, Amb Prof Smelly Dube has challenged graduates of Sisters Training College to be innovative and use their skills to create jobs instead of waiting for formal employment.
Speaking at the recent college’s first cohort of graduates in Gweru where she was guest of honour, Amb Dube commended the college for growing from a salon into a fully-fledged vocational training institution.
“It’s truly inspiring to see Sisters Training College evolve from a small salon into a fully-fledged college with graduates in various fields. This process is testament to the power of vision, discipline and hard work,”Amb Dube said.
Amb Dube said the graduates learnt practical skills that were relevant to the development of the nation.
“You didn’t just learn theoretically, you gained hands on experience that aligns perfectly with the needs of the nation as championed by his Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa,”she said.
College principal Kudzai Chikoore applauded the first cohort of 64 students who graduated in beauty therapy, tourism and hospitality as well as information technology, adding that they pioneered the thrust of technical skills required for the country’s industrial growth.
To the beauty therapy graduates Chikoore said:”You have learned the art of making people feel beautiful on the outside and confident on the inside. Your hands are blessed hands that will heal, beautify and create jobs.”
Chikoore also commended male students who took up tourism and hospitality.
“To our three men you have broken the stereotype. Hospitality has no gender. You, along with your sisters will welcome the world to Zimbabwe with professionalism and a warm Gweru smile,”she said.
Chikoore said the information technology graduates will impart digital skills to various sectors of the economy.
“In this fourth industrial revolution, you will help business, salons and tourism companies go digital and reach the world,”said Chikoore.
The ceremony saw 22 students, 19 female and three male graduate with certificates in tourism and hospitality, 33 female in beauty therapy and nine students, eight female and one male in information technology.