09 Nov 2014

Batswana have been reminded that vocational training is a way to go for any economy to flourish.

Speaking during the 12^th Joint Graduation Ceremony for brigades and technical colleges in Mahalapye on Friday November 7, Germany Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Rolf Ulrich stated that vocational training and education was important in a modern economy.

He said vocational training should be the focal point of the country for achieving participation in society and to assist young people to enter the labour market. He said the transition on a global level from mass production to an innovative driven economy entails an increased need for a well trained workforce in developing countries.

He pointed out that in as much as any other country needs medical doctors, engineers, lawyers (white colour jobs) well trained workers in the technical and service trades form the backbone of a well-oiled economy.

He said both the public and the private sector depend on their workers for a reliable, quality-driven production of goods and services, saying such is a precondition to run an effective economic diversification and achieve sustainable economic growth. “A sound vocational training has become universal recognised as a key factor for achieving the effective participation of young people not only in the workforce, but overall in activities of society, competitiveness, social peace, economic well-being and high employment rates,” he pointed.

Mr Ulrich said Botswana has to work hard to make more recognisable vocational trades, adding the 40 recognised trades are not enough and urged that the country strive to develop further on that endeavor.

He said in his home country Germany, there are 344 recognised trades in the system.

Mr Ulrich also urged for the readiness of both private and public sector to participate in the practical training and embracing the skilled workers by employing them.The ceremony was held under a theme: TVET; An effective step towards economic diversification, of which Mr Ulrich said it was appropriate as it would curb into the problem of youth unemployment which he said is at 50 per cent in Botswana.

He congratulated the 2 161 graduates for their successful conclusion of training after some hard work of studying in preparation for their entry into the labour market.

The graduates from 37 brigades and 8 technical colleges were awarded certificates and diplomas and the number included graduates with special needs (hearing impairment). ENDS