We were delighted to welcome 25 pupils from five local schools to our Centre for Excellence – our construction training hub just outside Lusaka – for a day of exploration, inspiration and learning.
The group included 15 girls and 10 boys from Grades 11 and 12, many of them head students and prefects. As young leaders, they’ll return to their schools to share what they’ve learned.
This initiative is part of our efforts to support more young people into work, highlighting the diverse career opportunities available in the construction industry – for both men AND women.
The day began with a warm welcome from our CEO Tum Kazunga. Tum shared a short overview of Build It and the development of the Centre for Excellence:
“The Centre for Excellence has become a hub for learning – a place where young people gain skills to build better lives and help shape our country through design and construction.”
Next our Training into Work team introduced the group to our entry-level training courses. The session sparked curiosity, with plenty of questions and ideas from the pupils.
The pupils then toured our learning plazas, pausing at bricklaying and carpentry classes where trainers provided explanations of the ongoing work. This allowed the young students to see how skills are taught and applied.
One student remarked: “I’m incredibly surprised to see girls also cementing bricks and cutting planks. They have blended in so well, despite these skills being traditionally for men. I’m inspired.”
Another highlight was hearing from recent Build It graduates who spoke candidly about their personal journeys.
Mercy, one of our inspiring alumni, shared: “I had a difficult life after I failed school. I was moving around the community without any plan until I heard about Build It and enrolled for training. During my work placements, the supervisor saw my potential and willingness to work, and I was given a permanent job. Now things are looking brighter for me.”
To round off the day, pupils took part in two fun, skill-based games – ‘Name the Tool’ and ‘Hammer the Nail’. These team challenges brought out some friendly competition!
The visit ended with a group photo capturing not just a moment, but the spirit of possibility.
We are grateful to the District Education Board Office for making the visit possible, to the dedicated teachers who accompanied the group, and to the incredible students who took part with such enthusiasm. They represented: Chibombo Day Secondary School, Mwanjuni Secondary School, Mukuni Secondary School, Chaluba Secondary School and Nachiyaba Secondary School.
Together we are #BuildingBrighterFutures for young people in Zambia.