Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Maambo Haamaundu has announced that the second cohort of the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Voluntary National Service Training will be recruited this year. Selection will begin once the first cohort graduates in April 2026.
The inaugural cohort, which started training in September 2025, is being trained at ZNS Chiwoko Training School in Eastern Province, ZNS Kitwe Training School on the Copperbelt, and ZNS Chishimba Training School in Northern Province.
Haamaundu said the first cohort recruited 1,138 youths, surpassing the target of 1,092 from all 156 constituencies.
He noted that the Voluntary National Service Training is a presidential directive being implemented by the Ministry of Defence. Haamaundu added that the number of youths in the second cohort will remain the same due to the limited capacity of the three training sites.
He has emphasised that the government wants trained youths to create jobs for themselves and for others.
Haamaundu further stated that graduates will have an advantage when seeking positions in the defence and security wings, as employers value the discipline and skills gained from the ZNS Voluntary National Service Training.
By Niza Vomo
