The vocational training has been defined by the Ministry of Education of Mozambique as essential in the creation of qualified man power for economic growth and poverty eradication. ADPP decided to contribute to this effort by establishing Vocational Schools in Nacala (Nampula province), Nhamatanda (Sofala province), Maputo (Maputo province) and Bilibiza (Cabo Delgado province). ADPP Mozambique established its first vocational school in Maputo in 1985. Presently, there are 670 students are enrolled annually.

The training curriculum combines theoretical and practical elements, including school subjects and general knowledge. The skills training takes center stage, and a fruitful exchange between studies in the classroom and practical exercises in the workshops or in the fields is fundamental. Periods of internship in commercial companies, farms or institutions are a valuable part of the program. This is also an important period for students to experience the reality of working life, comparing it with what the students may have learnt at the school. After completion of internship, the students enter into their first job.

All vocational schools have a boarding regime whereby the students and teachers take part in the running of their institution. Planning, preparation and implementation as well as increased personal responsibility are some of the skills that students acquire as result of their active participation in school life. Students are encouraged to take part in cultural and sports activities as well to lead healthy life styles as an important part of their personal development.

ADPP’s vocational schools operate in close cooperation with the Ministry of Education and have proved to be effective in producing graduates capable of sustaining themselves in self-employment or as part of a company. The vocational schools are of great importance, as a key contribution to the education system, the youth, and the society in general. ADPP Mozambique will continue to be a role model for other educational institutions in order to provide inspiration for the main-stream education system and to supply the sector with examples of modern teaching practices which have been developed and tested within the country.

Training Program

The vocational schools train youth in order for them to join the job market as informal or formal workers and earn their livelihoods.

The vocational skills available are:

• Agriculture where students acquire skills to equip them to start agro-commercial ventures or seek employment in an agricultural company.
• Business Management where graduates gain skills to run  a small scale business, marketing products, managing cash flows, dealing with human relations and understand the main commercial sectors in Mozambique.
• Construction where the graduates acquire the most important techniques in the building trade enabling the graduate to start small-scale businesses or join construction companies.
• Community Instructors where students are trained to plan, mobilize and lead community actions. A very applicable course in Mozambique given the number of development aid implementing programs.
• Hotel and Tourism skills help students establish a strong background in customer service and are essential for those who wish to be part of the fast-developing tourist industry in Mozambique or develop their own tourism venture.

The schools enrol between 80 and 300 students annually.

The schools offer a 2-year intensive boarding school training program. All general subjects like History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Civics and Morality, English, Portuguese, Mathematics, and Technical Design are covered during training. The program has extra curriculum activities in the evenings and weekends such as sports and culture programs.

The programs and courses are developed according to various aspects that influence the specific location of each school. The most important of these aspects is its relevance for the development of the area where the school is located. The vocational schools reach high standards of success in its developmental project by making the school the center for development of the region. Equally important is that vocational schools are constantly monitoring the evolution of the job market in order to ensure its training continues to be relevant.