The carpentry and tailoring departments are two areas where EFZ provides taught skills for development to young adults (male and female). The carpentry department has been operational since 1995, while the tailoring department began to function in 2008.

The aim of both departments is to capacitate young adults with life skills through training in carpentry and tailoring. The need was realized due to the high number of youths that may have failed to complete high school due to socio-economic circumstantial reasons.

Both departments have an annual student intake in January as well as a bi-annual intake for those wanting to be enrolled in the six month course program. The Tailoring department focuses theory, designing and tailoring while in carpentry they have placed their energies in theory, practicals and entrepreneurship.

On average, about forty-five students graduate from the two departments and students have gone ahead and started their own businesses or began work in the Zambian textile and carpentry industry.