By SYCORAX TIYESA NDHLOVU –

As many youths scramble for jobs and grumble over the perceived high unemployment levels; and at times sit idle waiting for the government to give them jobs, some youths have already created employment for themselves from many arrays of job creation opportunities that exist in this country.
Among the youths who have created employment for themselves is Friday Simutowe.
Born from the late Faidesi Nanyangwe and Lastin Simutowe, Friday Simutowe, 34, says he now a happy carpenter because his carpentry business gives him relatively good income to feed his family; and send his five children to school.
In a shy manner while scratching his little hair, Friday said: ‘ Mr Ndhlovu, I like carpentry.’
Starting formal education in 1991 at Uningi Basic School, a cool looking and quiet Mr Simutowe says while he was at school, his career choice was either to be carpenter or to be a driver.
He says his dream to be a carpenter has come true because he is now a happy and progressive carpenter.
‘From the very beginning, I wanted to be either a carpenter or a driver.
These were my priority careers while I was at school;’ said Mr Simotowe said while sketching the two careers on the floor with a small stick.
Asked why he wanted to be a carpenter or a driver, Mr Simutowe reflected; and said that in his home area from the time he was young, carpentry has always been a good business that attracts good income to carpenters while he liked driving just because he felt it gave one pride in society.
With a desire to go further in formal education, the death of Mr Simutowe’s father hindered his progress in education.
His father  passed away, while he was in grade eight in 1997.
With limited support from his mother to continue with education, Mr Simutowe couldn’t proceed with his education; and stopped in Grade eight.
Mr Simutowe looked around; looked up and down wondering what to do next. He had even lost the vision of either being a carpenter or being a driver.
He said with the death of his father, the world seemed small and useless to him. Going into farming with its different types and colours of crops was far- fetched in his career.
His life objectives were almost shattered.
Fortunately, his friend, Wezi Sikapiri of the same village was already a carpenter when Mr Simutowe was at school.
Seeing that his friend can no longer go on with his education, Lameck invited Friday to join him in carpentry; and learn carpentry work to earn a living.
Reflecting on his first career choice of being a carpenter and how his situation was at that time, Friday could not help but accepting Lameck’s invitation to join him in carpentry business.
The carpenter says in the first few days and weeks, Lameck used to send him to go and buy carpentry work requirements.
‘Initially, Lameck used to send me to buy nails, glue and other small carpentry items; but later he started showing me how to measure, cut planks to size and to make small carpentry works;’ Mr Simutowe remembered.
Mr Simutowe said he paid particular attention to what Lameck was teaching him because he wanted his carpentry career choice to come true as his life had already started tasting the hard and sour side of the world.
Within about two months, Friday was able to make hard stools from small pieces of planks which Lameck left.
Then he started making tables and other small carpentry products.
Married with five children, Mr Simutowe says he doesn’t think of any other career because his carpentry business gives him relatively good income to feed his family; and send his children to school.
He boasts that all his  five children go to school in grades 8, 7, 5 and 4 in respective age order; while his youngest  child is at nursery school.
Mr Simutowe argues that the advantage of carpentry as a career is that one doesn’t necessarily need to have high formal education achievements. He adds that one  needs just to know how to use a rule, measuring tape, Tee square and other tools.
‘What is important to be a carpenter is just being able to read, measure and calculate simple mathematics;’ the carpenter said.
But Mr Simutowe was quick to state that one needs to be creative; and know furniture designs customers want most.
He said all such qualifications are possible if one has a natural interest in carpentry.
‘With interest in what you want to do and achieve in life, one can achieve great things;’ Mr Simutowe concluded.
He said the secret of successful carpentry and joinery career is creating good works which customers admire to have in their respective homes.
Mr Simutowe claimed that such an approach to carpentry works has attracted many customers to his business, who, in some cases, he fails to meet their furniture collection deadlines.
Caught is such a situation, Mr Simutowe says he invites Wezi Mwansa, 31, who also wants to be a carpenter to work him catch up with customers’ deadlines for collection his carpentry business products.
When asked how he ensures that his customers pay on time for the products they collect; especially when most people are facing some financial hardships, Mr Simutowe said because carpentry is a business, he has put measures in place to ensure that his customers don’t default anyhow.
He said one of the best measures to ensure that customers pay for your products is to sell high quality products; and to develop good relations with existing and potential customer.
The youthful carpenter who operates in Lusaka’s John Laing compound advises parents and guardians to guide their children who seem to have nothing to do to join carpentry as a business career.
He argues that with high construction activities in the country, carpentry knowledge and skills are on high demand; and anyone who is skilled in this work can jump out of high unemployment and high poverty levels soon.
Referring to how career decisions are made these days, Mr Simutowe jokingly said: ‘These days, nikuvina mwamene waimverera.’
Rising to such happiness as a carpenter, Mr Simutowe wants to expand his carpentry and joinery business to attract more different customers from all walks of life.
He feels such an approach to his business will improve on his living standards further.
The proud carpenter said those who rush for beer drinking early in the morning claiming that they have nothing to do should think twice because there are many vocational careers one can choose from; and start earning a good living.
Mr Simutowe cited vocational careers such as farming, carpentry, auto mechanics, tailoring, plumbing, power electrical and many others which most youths could pounce on; and forget about the perceived high unemployment levels in this country.
Having learnt  how to make almost all carpentry and joinery works and with almost all the relevant tools, Mr Simutowe says anyone who wants to learn carpentry can come to him; and start learning carpentry as a business career.
In case one of you our esteemed readers wants to contact Mr Simutowe either because you want to learn more about how to be a carpenter or you want your son, nephew, daughter, ’niece or a friend to be taught carpentry skills, you are free to contact Mr Simutowe on 0975714613 to learn more about how to be a successful carpenter.
The author is Trainer and Career Coach.
For comments and ideas, contact:
Cell: 0967/0977 450151
E-mail:sycoraxtndhlovu@yahoo.co.uk