GROUP MEMBERS
ROSHNA R MANGOVE R2423526 HCOE
MUNASHE IDULUZI R2421528 HCOE
MELBA K GARANGANGA R2423530 HCOE
DEVOTION SARANADZO R2421525 HCOE
STRATEGIES TO REDUCE MISMATCH OF SKILLS AMONG YOUTHS IN
CHITUNGWIZA
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SIGNIFANCE OF THE STUDY
a) There is lack of proper research on the challenges being faced by youths in Chitungwiza.
b) To recommend strategies for improving youth employability.
c) To analyse the mismatch between academic qualifications and labour market needs.
d) To identify challenges faced by youths in securing decent jobs
ABSTRACT
This study explores strategies to reduce mismatch of skills among youths living in Chitungwiza.
Using macro-economic perspective, focusing on individual, households and firm level influences
the labour market outcomes in Chitungwiza. With nearly 75% of the population under the age of
25 years and youth unemployment, Chitungwiza faces a serious socio -economic issue that cause
targeted solution. By reviewing literature and analyzing recent data the research identifies key
macro-economic drivers of youth unemployment such as skills mismatch. At the firm level, risk-
averse recruitment practices differ across sectors, with agriculture requiring approximately 2
years of experience, manufacturing requiring approximately 4 years of experience and service-
oriented business showing distinct employment challenges and growth limitations. Emerging
digital skills training and entrepreneurship programs show potential in conjunction with broader
inclusion, scalability and sustainability to make a lasting impact. Overall, this research enhances
understanding of the complex dynamics of youth unemployment in Chitungwiza and offers
evidence-based, and strategies to reduce macroeconomic barriers in the short, medium and long
term.
INTRODUCTION
Youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge in Chitungwiza, with many young people
unable to secure jobs. In Chitungwiza this problem is largely driven by a mismatch between the
skills acquired in schools and training institution and those demanded by the labour market, as a
result many youths are unemployed and being forced into illegal activities. This situation not only
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limits individual economic opportunities but also slows community development and increases
risks of poverty, crime and social instability. Addressing the skills gap therefore requires
deliberate strategies such as vocational and entrepreneurial training, curriculum alignment with
industry needs, mentorship and stronger links between education providers and employers.
This study focuses on identifying and evaluating strategies that can effectively reduce the
mismatch of skills among youth in Chitungwiza. The findings are expected to provide practical
insights for policy makers, educators, and community stakeholder seeking to improve youth
employability and promote sustainable development.
BACKGROUND
Youth unemployment is a major challenge in Chitungwiza. Many young people finish school or
tertiary education but still struggle to find jobs because their skills do not match what the labour
market requires. Employers often highlight the lack of practical abilities, innovation, and
readiness for work, while youth themselves face barriers such as limited access to training,
resources, and mentorship.
The skills mismatch fuels unemployment which leads to poverty and social problems such as
crime and exclusion. Although measures like vocational training, entrepreneurship, promotion,
curriculum reform, and career guidance have been proposed, their impact in Chitungwiza has not
been fully examined.
Studying strategies to bridge the gap between education and employment is therefore critical in
Chitungwiza in order to improve youth employability.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Many youths in Chitungwiza remain unemployed or underemployed despite completing their
education. This is mainly due to a gap between the skills they acquire in schools and training
institutions and the practical abilities demanded by the job market. Employers often highlight that
youths lack technical skills, entrepreneurship capacity and readiness for work, making them less
competitive.
The result is persistent youth unemployment, poverty, and growing reliance on informal or even
risky survival activities. Although some interventions, such as vocational training and
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entrepreneurial programs, exist their impact on addressing this challenge in Chitungwiza is not
well understood.
If the skills mismatch is not effectively tackled it will continue to limit opportunities for young
people and slow economic growth and development. This study therefore seeks to explore
strategies that can reduce the skills gap and enhance youth employability in Chitungwiza.
MAIN OBJECTIVE
To examine strategies that can effectively reduce the mismatch of skills among youths living in
Chitungwiza in order to improve their employability and economic opportunities.
MAIN RESEARCH QUESTION
What strategies can be implemented to reduce mismatch between the skills possessed by youth in
Chitungwiza and the skills demanded by the labor market.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1) Identify the main causes of skills mismatch among youth in Chitungwiza -What are the key
factors contributing to the mismatch of skills among youths in Chitungwiza?
2) To assess the effectiveness of current interventions (such as vocational training,
entrepreneurship programs and curriculum reforms) aimed at reducing the skills gap. How
effective are the existing interventions in addressing the skills mismatch among youth in
Chitungwiza?
3) To explore the role of stakeholders such as government, employers, training institutions, and
the community in bridging the skills gap. What roles do different stakeholders play in reducing
the skills mismatch among youths in Chitungwiza?
HYPOTHESIS
1)H1: There is a significant relationship between the education or training provided to youths in
Chitungwiza and the skills demanded by the labor market
2) H2: Current interventions such as vocational training and entrepreneurship programs have a
significant positive effect ion reducing the skills mismatch among youths in Chitungwiza.
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3) H3: Stakeholder involvement (government, employers, training institutions and community)
plays a significant role in addressing the skills mismatch among youth in Chitungwiza.
4)Implementing targeted strategies such as curriculum alignment, mentorship, and practical
training significantly improves youth employability in Chitungwiza.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is important because it tackles the growing problem of youth unemployment in
Chitungwiza which is largely caused by a mismatch between education and labor market needs.
The findings will help policy makers design strategies that align training with industry demands,
while education and training institutions can use the insights to strengthen curricula and promote
practical and entrepreneurial skills.
Employers will benefit from a more competent and adoptable workforce, while youths will gain
better opportunities for employment and self-reliance’s. Reducing the skills gap will also help to
address poverty and social challenges such as crime and exclusion.
Academically, the study contributes, valuable knowledge on youth skills development and labor
market alignment in developing contexts, providing a foundation for future research and reforms.
Overall, it will be useful in policymakers, educators, employers, and the community in shaping
strategies that improve youth employability and promote socio-economic development in
Chitungwiza and beyond.
THEORETICAL LITERATURE REVIEW
Several microeconomic theories provide useful insights for understanding youth unemployment
and the skills mismatch challenge in Chitungwiza. Human Capital theory (Becker,1964) views
education as an investment that should increase productivity and employability. However, in
Zimbabwe the weak alignment between curricula and labour market needs undermines this
investment, leading to high unemployment among qualified youths.
Search and matching theory (Mortensen and Pissarides,1994) highlights frictions such as
information gaps and coordination failures, which are evident in Chitungwiza where many youths
struggle to connect with potential employers.
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Efficiency wage theory (Shapiro and Stiglitz,194) explains why firms may avoid hiring
inexperienced youth, preferring more experienced workers even if this deepens unemployment.
Finally, Sen`s capability approach (2021) broadens the discussion by showing how social and
structural factors such as gender, poverty, and geography limit youth`s ability to translate
education into employment. Together, these theories provide a framework for analyzing the skills
mismatch in Chitungwiza
At the microeconomic level, studies show that skills mismatches are a major cause of youth
unemployment in Chitungwiza. Curricula remain theory-driven, with little emphasis on practical
competencies, which leaves youths ill-prepared for real world demands (Bhebhe at al ,2016).
Gender also shapes unemployment outcomes, as young women face additional barriers related to
caregiving norms, and labour market segregation (Tichagwa and Moyo, 2022).Moreover many
youths prefer white collar jobs and shun manual or low-paying work, resulting in inefficient job
research behaviours that prolong unemployment spells. Households resource constraints further
limit opportunities, forcing many to accept precarious work or drop out of the search entirely
(Chimhowa et al,2019)
On the demand side firms hiring practices also disadvantage youth SMEs, which dominate
Zimbabwe`s economy, often avoid hiring inexperienced workers due to financial regulatory and
market constraints (Bhebhe et al , 2016). In times of economic uncertainty, this risk aversion
deepens the exclusion of young people from formal employment. Consequently, many youths in
Chitungwiza resort at the informal economy. Urban studies describe this as “waithustlinghood”
(Moyo ,2023) a mix of hustling while rural youth engage in informal farming and trading (Ncube
and Gomez,2022). These strategies show resilience but also highlight inefficiencies in labour
market functioning and wasted human capital.
Recent research also points to digital transformation as a new pathway for addressing youth
unemployment. Online platforms reduce search costs, improve access to information, and create
new work opportunities. However, the benefits remain uneven due to digital divide in access,
infrastructure, and skills.
In relation to this study, the reviewed literature shows that youth unemployment in Chitungwiza
is not only a problem of job scarcity but also of skills mismatch, limited employer engagement
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and structural inequalities. The theoretical perspectives provide a foundation for identifying
strategies such as curriculum reform, stronger employer-education linkages, entrepreneurship
promotion, gender sensitive policies and digital skills development. This positions the present
study to contribute practical recommendations for reducing skills mismatch and improving
employability among youths in Chitungwiza.
IMPERICAL LITERATURE REVIEW
Structural unemployment is the form of unemployment that results from a mismatch between the
characteristics of the unemployed workers and those of jobs available, notably in terms of skills,
work experience and geographical location (Jackman and Roper,1987)
According to our view structural unemployment is caused by:
a) Nepotism
This is the practice of giving jobs, promotions, or other advantages to relatives or close friends
especially in professional or political settings, regardless of merit or qualifications. For example,
a manager can hire his cousin who is unqualified.
Solution
They can engage in merit-based hiring where they focus on candidate’s qualifications, skills and
experience
b) Lack of experience
Many industries require 4 years of experience in a specific field.
Solution
i)On the job training
Companies can invest in training programs that equip new employees with the necessary skills
and knowledge to perform their duties effectively.
ii)Entry level programs
These are designed for new graduates providing a structured learning environment and support to
help them transition into the workforce.
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C)Reservation wage
A minimum wage that an individual is willing to accept for their labour. If the market wage is
below this threshold, they may choose not to work.
Solution
Wage subsidies -government can offer wage subsidies to employers who hire job seekers, making
it more attractive for them to offer higher wages.
METHODOLOGY
This research is going to focus on mixed research methods both (qualitative and quantitative). We
are going to use case studies, from unstructured interviews and observation as research strategies.
We are proposing to use primary and secondary sources including academic journals, and
credible online sources as our data collection tools. The anticipated time frame for this research
course is three months. This research is going to use less cost since all group members reside in
Chitungwiza which is the area of study. We are going to use statistical interpretation (regression
graphical methods) in order to provide and interpret the relationship between the dependent
variable (skills mismatch among youths) and the independent variable (strategies to reduce skills
mismatch).
THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES
We recommend the Chitungwiza local authority to expand access to vocational training centers
such as offering courses aligned with local industry needs.
We recommend government of Zimbabwe to create a youth skills development framework, this is
to introduce policies that focus on skills development, job creation and youth employment.
We recommend the community of Chitungwiza to create youth-led community projects in order
to help them create experience.
Regarding this research topic the future studies should focus on investigating whether the
curricula in secondary schools, colleges and universities are aligned with the current and future
demands of the local labour market.
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CONCLUSSION
In conclusion, reducing the skills mismatch among youths in Chitungwiza requires a combination
of targeted vocational training entrepreneurship support and enhanced public-private
partnerships. By aligning education with local labour market demands, promoting digital literacy
and fostering community driven initiatives, young people can gain relevant skills for employment
and self-employment. Through these strategies, Chitungwiza can bridge the skills gap, reduce
youth unemployment, and foster long term economic growth.
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