Education is the most powerful weapon for progress, particularly for Zambia's youth. It holds the key to tackling unemployment, reducing reliance on foreign expertise, and ensuring sustainable national development. Recognizing this, the Zambian government has prioritized expanding access to quality technical education and vocational training.

The Kwambula Training Programme, initiated by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) in collaboration with the Government of Zambia and the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA), exemplifies these efforts.

Since its inception, the programme has aimed to bridge the skills gap, equipping young Zambians with industry-relevant expertise in Solwezi and the rest of the country.

The Kwambula programme, operational since 2012 and run at Solwezi Trades Training Institute (SOTTI), initially offered three trades. It has since expanded to include instrumentation, power electrical, metal fabrication, mechanical fitting and machining, and heavy equipment repair. Plans are underway to introduce rigging and lifting operations training to meet industry needs.

Kwambula, meaning ‘igniting fire’ in Kiikaonde, symbolizes our mission to empower students with technical expertise and ignite hope in the fight against illiteracy and poverty.

The programme has trained over 500 students, equipping them with skills aligned with global standards. Kansanshi Mining PLC, a subsidiary of FQM, has been instrumental in this initiative.

Graduates of the Kwambula programme are expected to drive Zambia’s mining and industrial sectors forward.

The success of Kwambula underscores the private sector’s pivotal role in Zambia’s development. Through initiatives like Kwambula, FQM has shown that private-public partnerships can catalyze economic growth, uplift communities, and provide youth with opportunities for a brighter future.