We are excited to announce a new partnership with Lilongwe Workshop that will provide apprenticeship opportunities for our welding and fabrication graduates.

This collaboration marks a significant step in our mission to ensure that skills training leads to meaningful employment and income generation for our students. Starting in April 2026, top-performing welding graduates will have the opportunity to participate in paid apprenticeships at Lilongwe Workshop, one of the capital's leading metal fabrication companies.

What the Partnership Means

Under the agreement, Lilongwe Workshop will:

  • Provide paid apprenticeship positions for up to 10 NHTCA welding graduates per year
  • Offer hands-on training in advanced fabrication techniques
  • Provide mentorship from experienced welders and fabricators
  • Offer permanent employment to successful apprentices
  • Collaborate with NHTCA to ensure our curriculum meets industry needs

"This partnership is exactly what we've been working toward," said Watson Mbewe, Board Chair at NHTCA. "Our goal has always been not just to train students, but to connect them with real economic opportunities. Lilongwe Workshop shares our vision of developing skilled workers who can contribute to Malawi's growing industrial sector."

From the Partner

Mr. Thomas Phiri, Owner of Lilongwe Workshop, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "We've been impressed by the quality of graduates from NHTCA. They come to us with solid foundational skills and a strong work ethic. We're proud to invest in these young people and help them develop into master craftsmen. This is good for our business and good for Malawi."

Student Impact

James Phiri, a recent welding graduate who will be among the first apprentices, shared his excitement: "I've been looking for work since graduating, but many employers want experienced welders. This apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity to gain that experience while earning an income. I'm grateful to NHTCA and Lilongwe Workshop for believing in us."

Expanding Partnerships

This partnership is part of a broader effort to connect our graduates with employment opportunities. We are actively seeking similar partnerships in other sectors, including:

  • Construction companies for carpentry and welding graduates
  • Tailoring shops and fashion houses for fashion design graduates
  • Tech companies and digital agencies for digital skills graduates
  • Solar installation companies for renewable energy graduates

If your company is interested in partnering with NHTCA, please contact our partnerships team at partnerships@newhopetca.org.

Looking Ahead

We believe that partnerships like this are essential to creating lasting impact. By connecting training directly with employment opportunities, we ensure that our graduates can immediately put their skills to use and begin transforming their lives.

We look forward to seeing our first apprentices begin their journey at Lilongwe Workshop and hope to expand this model to serve even more students in the future.