Zimbabwe has launched two national skills databases aimed at drawing on the experience of retired professionals and the expertise of citizens living abroad, as the government steps up efforts to better utilise skills built up over decades.
The initiative was announced by Paul Mavhima, Minister of Skills Audit and Development, who said the new platforms will help the country organise and deploy specialised knowledge in a more coordinated way.
The two platforms, the Retired Expert Skills Database and the Diaspora Skills Database, are designed to serve as central repositories of professional expertise. According to the minister, they will allow government and institutions to identify individuals with critical skills and match them to priority sectors where support is most needed.
Retired professionals, Mavhima said, will play an important role in preserving institutional memory, mentoring younger workers and providing advisory support in areas such as education, health, engineering and public administration. Their experience, he added, remains a valuable national asset even after formal retirement.
At the same time, the Diaspora Skills Database will enable Zimbabweans living abroad to contribute to national development through remote collaboration, skills transfer and targeted short-term engagements. Authorities believe this approach will help bridge skills gaps without requiring permanent relocation.
The government sees the initiative as part of a broader strategy to strengthen service delivery, support innovation and improve policy development by tapping into existing human capital.
Eligible professionals, both locally and abroad, have been encouraged to register on the databases and take part in national development efforts, as Zimbabwe looks to more structured ways of mobilising expertise in support of economic and social progress.
