Malawi has reached an important milestone in skills development with the graduation of the first artisans certified through the country's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system, an initiative that formally recognizes skills gained through work experience and informal learning.
At a ceremony held on 06 August 2026 at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, 100 artisans received certificates recognizing competencies acquired outside the formal education system. They are part of more than 500 artisans who have already been assessed and certified through the programme.
RPL enables individuals to have their knowledge, skills and experience assessed and formally recognized, regardless of how those skills were acquired. In a country where 91.5 percent of employed people work in the informal economy, the initiative offers new opportunities for employment, career growth, skills development and social protection.
The programme has strengthened Malawi's capacity to implement RPL nationally. Support has been provided to the Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation and the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) to develop national guidelines, assessment tools and procedures, train assessors, and conduct skills assessments.
Representing the Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation, Mr. George Masinga, Director of Administration, described RPL as an important contribution to Malawi's development agenda.
"Recognition of Prior Learning is a strategic intervention that contributes to the realization of Malawi 2063 by recognizing, validating and developing the skills of our workforce," he said.
For many graduates, the certification is life-changing. It provides formal recognition of skills that were previously undocumented, improving credibility with employers and customers while creating pathways to further training, better jobs and business growth.
One such graduate is Owen M'bona, a refrigeration and air-conditioning technician who learned his trade through practical experience rather than formal training.
"Before this achievement, many doubted my abilities because I had no formal qualification. I now have confidence because people will trust my work," he said.
His story reflects the experiences of many skilled Malawians who have developed valuable competencies through informal learning and years of work. Through RPL, these skills can now be assessed against recognized occupational standards and formally certified.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Wellington Chibebe, ILO Country Director for Malawi and Zambia, encouraged graduates to promote the value of skills recognition.
"Your certificates are not only a recognition of the skills you have acquired; they are also an opportunity to demonstrate what you can do. We encourage you to become ambassadors of RPL and inspire other skilled workers to have their competencies recognized," Mr. Chibebe said.
The development and rollout of Malawi's RPL system has been led by the Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation and TEVETA, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations system.
The initiative is supported through the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, with funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Norway.
As Malawi advances its Malawi 2063 vision, the RPL programme is helping build a more inclusive and competitive workforce by ensuring that skills gained through experience are valued and recognized.
