Zambia plans introducing training programmes in digital migration to assist migration from analogue to digital broadcasting next year.

Director general of technical education and vocational training, David Chakonta, said the training is targeted at those set to run the digital migration process.

The training comes about also as the country does not have enough skilled manpower to drive the digital migration process, say officials.

The Zambian government also sees the digital migration process as an opportunity to create more job opportunities among unemployed youth.

"The training programmes will be for the people engaged by the government to run the digital migration process. I'm optimistic that the digital migration programme will create jobs across the country," Chakonta said.

The country has already awarded phase one of the country's digital migration project to Star Software Technologies Company of China.

The contract valued at $9,554,124 is for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of phase one of the national digital terrestrial broadcasting in the country.

However, the Zambian government has not yet awarded phase two and phase three of the digital migration project to any company.

But the Zambian government said it is optimistic that it will beat the June 2015 migration deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).