The Government has established a new institution in Ndola Copperbelt focusing on development of skills for production in the gemstone industry particularly for small scale miners. Currently, the institution focuses on courses in gemstone cutting, sorting, and polishing. The plan is to expand the course portfolio to include jewellery and bead making, however, the institution is facing constraints of lack of qualified staff and appropriate equipment.

A partnership with a private company to develop this institution will enable government to provide critical skills to an industry that has great potential to contribute to economic development of the country by improving the efficiency of small scale miners.