Government Internship Scheme Offers 2,000 Young Zambians a Pathway to Employment

A government-led internship and apprenticeship initiative has created employment opportunities for 2,000 young Zambians, offering hope amid the country’s high youth unemployment rates.

Speaking at a press briefing, Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, outlined the impact of the Internship, Volunteer, Apprenticeship and Graduate (IVAG) programme. Launched under the National Youth Empowerment Project and approved by Cabinet in 2022, the initiative aims to tackle unemployment by equipping school leavers and graduates with valuable work experience.

Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the scheme has already facilitated placements for 2,000 participants across various sectors. It has also addressed outstanding financial issues, clearing wage debts dating back 10 months for those previously engaged in the programme.

Nkandu noted that a wage freeze imposed under the previous government had severely limited the public sector’s ability to recruit skilled youth, resulting in many graduates holding diplomas without practical work experience. The overwhelming response to the initiative, over 33,000 applications for 2,000 positions, reflects the scale of the challenge.

“The IVAG programme is helping to overcome the barriers most school leavers face, particularly the lack of work experience,” Nkandu said. He added that the scheme provides participants with a full year of hands-on training, a critical stepping stone toward securing long-term employment in a highly competitive job market.