MacLay Langwani’s Journey to Certified Carpentry Excellence

MacLay carefully crafting a product

MacLay Langwani is confidently progressing to Level 2 in Carpentry and Joinery at Ntonda Community Technical College. He is one of the youths who benefited from the Youth Economic Empowerment (YEE) Project under Mwala Youth Club, located in GVH Namboya, Sub–TA Mkutumula. Since its establishment, the club has engaged in village savings and loans and piecework to raise funds at club level.

MacLay, a 25-year-old from a female-headed household, once sat for the Malawi School Certificate of Education at Falls CDSS in Lilongwe but performed poorly. His mother and elder brother could not afford school expenses for a repeat, marking the end of his dream to become a medical doctor. In 2022, he joined Mwala Youth Club during the implementation of the YEE Project.

Mwala Youth Club was among four clubs that benefited from the YEE Project and chose carpentry and joinery as their pathway. MacLay actively acquired skills from a local artisan. However, the youths were not certified by TEVETA, limiting their recognition and trust among potential customers. Although the club received a grant to purchase tools, members lacked adequate expertise and industrial exposure.

This changed with the introduction of the Green Jobs for Adolescent Youth (GJ4AY) Project, a follow-up to YEE. The three-year project, funded by Save the Children Italy, aims to enhance inclusive economic opportunities for adolescents and youth. GJ4AY conducted external beneficiary verification and facilitated a two-month reattachment to local artisans, followed by TEVETA competency-based assessments.

MacLay proudly displaying finished carpentry products—evidence of skill, determination, and growth through the GJ4AY project.

MacLay was among the successful youths selected for a four-month upskilling program at Ntonda Community Technical College in Ntcheu under the Formal Apprenticeship Program. There, he expanded his skills and knowledge in carpentry and joinery and can now produce standard doors, beds, and dining sets. After sitting for the December 2024 TEVETA formal competency assessments, he successfully passed.

He later participated in incubation training, gaining business skills in idea development, financial literacy, budgeting, and pitching. Applying green mindset principles, MacLay uses sawdust from his workshop as chicken house bedding and later as manure. Last growing season, he used the manure in his maize field and harvested 10 bags.

“With the skills I have gained, I am able to complement my mother in providing for our family needs,” he proudly says. His ambition is to obtain a Level 3 certificate to comprehensively meet customer demands.

MacLay alongside his local artisan mentor during attachment, sharpening his carpentry and joinery skills through hands-on guidance.

Currently, MacLay is self-sponsoring his Level 2 studies at Ntonda Technical College after selling one 50kg bag of maize at K70,000 and two chickens to cover school expenses. He is now acquiring roofing skills and runs a small business at school through a partner at Ntonda Trading Centre.

The project is implemented by a consortium comprising Save the Children International–Malawi, CRECCOM, ADRA Malawi, Mzuzu University, Emerge Livelihoods, and TEVETA. It aims to support vulnerable out-of-school youth (15–24 years) to transition into sustainable adulthood through green skills and economic independence, with CRECCOM leading community engagement efforts to drive effective change.