How much do you know about scrap metal in Zimbabwe and the opportunities associated with it? One of our members who is an engineer by profession shared insights of opportunities in the area. The hope is that this may help inspire Zimbabweans to appreciate the value chain and tap into related opportunities.

Scrap metal is the backbone of Magaba and Mbare as a whole. The Chinese recycle scrap metal to make that steel for that double storey that you are staying, that double lock-up garage that you stay in, burglar bars, tank stand etc. I can write a whole book on what they make with the crap metal. Another key secret is that the steel is never enough. You have to do under hand dealings in order to get the steel.

My only problem is that no Zimbabwean national is making end products from recycling steel.

They all want to be retailers in Mbare, Willowvale, Msasa etc. The sad thing is that they are satisfied. Even the millionaires do not want to venture into this.

Here is the logic. They buy scrap metal at around US$200_$250 ( from Zimbabweans). They then melt the steel oxygenate it and make the above mentioned steel products. They then then sell to retailers (Zimbabweans) at around US$750. Who in turn sells to you from US$850 to about US$900 to Zimbabweans.

The retailers make a lot of money but why get a slice when you can have the whole cake? We have programmed ourselves to be consumers even on things that we can manufacture ourselves.

Vhuka.

Cruise Liners Vacancies for Zimbos

When it comes to foreign jobs fears of humantrafficking or scams come into mind and for these reasons, many fear anything to do with these jobs. Recent cases of human trafficking in Oman have exercbated the situation. So mention cruise line jobs and many will be quick to dismiss the jobs but how is the situation?

The good news is that many Zimbos have been getting jobs on cruise ships and on the forum we have more than 40 who got jobs this year.They paid nobody a fee for facilitation but instead went through a process of mentorship fromthose who are already working on cruise ships, shared notes with others and applied for the jobs.

Picture of a cruise liner

This is essentially a massive hotel on ocean waters with some having capacities up to 5000 and beyond. Guests on holiday need tonnes of services support such as entertainment, accommodation, food, security, clothing and more.

This calls for professions such as plumbers, carpenters, tailors, chefs, jewellery sellers, nurses, musicians, servers, receptionists, accounting clerks etc

Top recruitment sites

www.carnival.com/careers

www.careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com

You can search for tens of others on the internet. You search for vacancies where you qualify and then register online(its free).

You will be asked to load a resume/cv and make sure its short and neat.Look for resume templates of your field on the internet as well.

A pre-screening interview will be done whereby you are send interview questions which you need to answer and they come with a set time frame.

If successful on the pre-screening stage, a Zoom interview is scheduled and make sure you look professional and you are well prepared for it. If in doubt engage professional interview coaches.

They do not take long before giving you feedback with some fortunate being told they are hired before the interview is finished.

Do not worry if unsuccessful as you can always try again.

Those successful are sent forms they have to fill out and have to undergo medical tests and when successful apply for visas. From visas one buys an airline ticket and fly out to their workplace. The costs of medical tests, visas and airline tickets range from $1100-$1300. Most recoup these costs within the first month of working.

Delays may come due to embassies being swamped with applications but on average 3-4 months one should be able to get it.

Salary ranges for lowest paid jobs are $600 and for top jobs from $6000 and include benefits such as gratuity and tips. Accommodation and food is provided.

So there you are search for jobs you qualify and do your application today. From the forum more than 40 have been recruited this year and each week others are being recruited.

Once more this is a self application process and do not pay a single penny to anyone for cruise liner jobs.