Vocational Skills and Knowledge Systems in Zimbabwe Informal Metal Industries: Demystifying Perceptions on Informal Training Systems

The study sought to establish the source of skills and knowledge systems as well as training strategies adopted in the informal industry. Mbare-Magaba informal industry situated to the western periphery of the city of Harare in Zimbabwe was the geographical delimitation of the study. The study adopted two main approaches to data gathering and therefore had a fair balance between qualitative and quantitative methods. Although Mbare-Magaba industry has informal players of diverse trades, this study focused on the informal metal industry with a total population of 1500. Using stratified random sampling a sample of 170 participants was established. Questionnaires were self-administered and data were processed using the SPSS. Qualitative data were sorted into emerging themes. The study established that the informal sector has decentralised and democraticised the training and therefore the skill base of the industry. Consequently this has caused a vibrant group of small black capitalist players to emerge with a unique culture of recruitment, training and organisation of production. In this context the ‘hands on’ approach through the informal apprenticeship training system emerged as the most dominant teaching strategy. Also what we see in the informal industry is a perpetuation of social networks and social responsibilities where parents are expected to pass their vocational skills to their children. The study also explored different ramifications of the context in which technical skills are acquired in the informal sector.