Mwinilunga Trades has outdated equipment – Principal

MWINILUNGA Trades Training Institute is wallowing in a number of challenges, including lack of equipment in its workshops.According to Principal, Maxwell Chilemu, the institution has outdated equipment which needs replacement.Mr Chilemu said of all the workshops, the most hit was the auto-mechanic which had old model type of engines.‘’Most of the equipment we are using in our workshop needs to be replaced because it is old-fashioned. For example, in auto mechanic department, we have carbureted engines instead ofmodern ones, he said.He said this when Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education Kayula Siame inspected the facility.Mr Chilemu informed the Permanent Secretary that there was need for the institution to be equipped with modern equipment in order to attract more students.He also informed the Permanent Secretary that most staff at the institution was demotivated due to low salaries.Apart from that, he said the institution lacked good accommodation for the members of staff, prompting some of them to leave for greener pastures.In response, Ms Siame said Government has procured enough modern equipment for all the institutions including Mwinilunga Trades Training Institute.‘’For Mwinilunga Trades, they should be receiving their equipment in the next few weeks because other provinces have already received theirs,’’ she said.The Permanent Secretary said that the institution would be provided with a tractor since it had expressed interest to go into farming.She said this was because the institution was situated in an area where there were enough water bodies, fertile as well as arable land.‘’So, we have requested to look at that seriously because as a ministry we believe that through that initiative, the institution will be able to meet some of its needs,’’ she said.Ms Siame advised management to ensure that the courses that they were offering were relevant to the industry.‘’We have Kansenseli Mine coming on board as well as the Mwinilunga Frit Cannery which is also under construction. So, make sure that you make yourselves relevant to these upcomingindustries in the district,’’ she said. – ZANIS The Sun