Who we are
The Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre is a Zambian government training institution which was officially registered in January 2006 as a TEVET institution under the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) in accordance with the provision of the TEVET Act No. 13 of 1998. The institution was officially commissioned by the late President, His Excellency Dr Levy P Mwanawasa on 21st August 2007.
Strength
The Centre which is situated in the industrial area of Ndola on Plot No. 3083A Nakambala road is the only institution in the country that is providing hands-on training in gemstone identification and value addition.
Management
The operations of the Centre are overseen by the Management Board which is appointed by the Minister of Technology and Science.
Mandate
The Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre (GPLTC) was set up to:
• Offer training in gemstone processing and lapidary skills and entrepreneurship;
• Provide consultancy and research related to gemstone mining and mineral development;
• Provide any other services incidental to gemstone skills development to the public.
What we do
Services
Other than offer training, the Center also offers Gemstone Identification, Sorting and Grading, Preforming, Faceting, Gemstone Drilling and other Gemstone value addition services.
Products
The Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Center stocks various gemstone products. These range from loose faceted stones and cabochons to finished wearable jewelry and gemstone Ornaments.
Courses
The Center offers a 2 year program in gemstone cutting and polishing as well as short courses in Gemstone Identification, Gemstone Tumbling, Material Preparation and the Gemstone Enterprise.
About GPLTC
The Centre which is situated in the industrial area of Ndola on Plot No. 3083A Nakambala road is the only institution in the country that is providing hands-on training in gemstone identification and value addition. The target clients for the Centre are the small-scale miners, gemstone traders, women, youths, school leavers and the general public. Besides this group, the Centre also offers training to government Agencies.
Mission
To provide demand-driven skills training in gemstone processing and promote
employment and income generation through self employment among the
school leavers.
Vision
To be the leading institute in the development and promotion of Zambia’s gemstone
and Jewellery industry through the provision of high-quality and appropriate
skills training that is relevant and contribute to the country’s social-economic
diversification
