Salima: In Malawi, the Global Accelerator supports decent jobs and social protection for workers in the agrifood system, which includes the development of skills and qualifications of agriculture workers, allowing them to become more productive and employable. In this context, the Ministry of Labour of Malawi convened a workshop on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where 70 Assessors were trained in RPL methodologies in September 2025.
The ILO’s Recognition of Prior Learning Programme seeks to certify skills acquired both formally and informally, and is aligned with Malawi 2063, which endeavours to transform the country into an upper-middle-income nation. RPL assessment tools have been developed to support skills development, directly promoting agricultural mechanisation and employment creation along the agriculture value chain, in five trades: Edible Horticulture; Electrical Installation, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Mechanics and Woodworking Machining.
Mr Joseph Chirombo, Director of Assessment and Certification Services, Ministry of Labour, stated that the training will increase the country’s capacity to assess and certify informal skills. “The impact of Recognition of Prior learning is massive, it makes individuals gain qualifications that enhance their employability, leading to better prospects, economic growth, and promotes social justice by recognising experience of economically marginalized groups and providing them opportunities for advancement,” he said.
He encouraged the youth to seize opportunities available in technical colleges and trade testing centres, emphasizing that that government recognises and certifies even skills gained informally.
Mr Wellington Chibebe, ILO Country Director for Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique highlighted that “Promoting quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone enhances a skilled and knowledgeable workforce that is most likely to attract investment and innovation leading to higher productivity and economic growth”.
The training will enable workers to effectively participate in the labour market and contribute to the country’s human capital development, aligned with SDG 8 on decent work, as explained by Ms Patience Matandiko, ILO Technical Officer.
Mr Paul Kalilombe, Director of Administration, Ministry of Labour, put numbers on the table, stating that over 70 assessors from various institutions are currently undergoing training. The Ministry’s goal is to eventually certify 2,100 candidates. He emphasized the country’s commitment to certifying workers across skill levels and trades, to ensure that they are all able to participate in the labour market according to the skills they possess.
The workshop is supported by the United Nations under the Global Accelerator Initiative on Jobs and Social Protection, with financial support from development partners including the governments of Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Korea and Spain.
Malawi joined the Global Accelerator as a pathfinder country in 2023, and its roadmap focuses on:
- Accelerating agriculture productivity and commercialization
- Industrializing the mining sector
- Accelerating growth of the tourism industry
- Enhancing the quality and adequacy of social protection