The Zimbabwe College of Forestry (ZCF) and the Forest Industry Training Centre (FITC) hosted the graduation of class 2021 on the 30th of June. The graduation theme for the year was: Transforming Lives Through Forestry Training And Innovation. The grand affair saw 43 Students graduating with Certificates and Diplomas in Forestry and Wood Technology. The Guest of Honour was the Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mr M. Munodawafa who conferred the graduates with their diplomas and certificates and launched them into the forestry world. The Zimbabwe College of Forestry trains for the SADC region and the class of 2022 had four students from the Kingdom of Eswatini.
About ZFC and FITC
The Zimbabwe College of Forestry (ZCF) has been in existence since 1946 and the institution initially offered certificate courses for forest rangers until 1982 when the first diploma class in Forestry was offered. To date, more than 2,000 foresters have graduated with certificates and diplomas from the institution of which about 20% are females. An additional 500 students have left the institution with short course certificates in various disciplines including chainsaw operations, supervisory skills, nursery management, and forest fire management.
On the other hand, Forest Industry Training Centre (FITC) was established in 1990 as a regional institution for training in Wood Technology, Saw doctoring, and related short courses. The institution specializes in the primary milling of logs in wood technology. The Saw doctoring trade is unique and FITC is the only institution in Zimbabwe that offers training in this discipline. Since 1990, more than 1,000 wood technologists have left FITC with certificates and diplomas. In the Saw doctoring field, more than 50 doctors have been trained and certified life to date.
