03 Sep 2015

Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) acting chief executive officer, Dr Patrick Molutsi says the transport sector is one of the less skilled sectors in Botswana.

Speaking at the transport sector committee establishment workshop recently in Gaborone, Dr Molutsi said in order for the transport sector to up skill their manpower, companies should attach students while they are still at school for them to acquire on the job skills.

He said companies are better placed to provide skills and practicals than universities because they already have equipment and industry workshops. Dr Molutsi stated that government has assigned the HRDC to engage every sector for things to be done right and improve the quality of services rendered to the people.

The acting CEO said, “Botswana is facing a challenge with the economy not growing as it would have been expected and this has created problems in employment as the education is not serving its purpose.

“Many people don’t have jobs because economy is not absorbing them while others have jobs but lack the proper skills,” he added.

He said companies continue to advertise jobs with people who lack skills applying which showed a mismatch in education.

Dr Molutsi further stated that the country is faced with a challenge of poor work ethic in labour force as workers are not punctual at work, leave during working hours to do their private business. He urged the transport sector to assist the HRDC to identify skills that the sector requires for it to grow.

Department of Road Transport and Safety, acting deputy director, Mr Godwin Tlhogo said it was worrisome that handling of dangerous goods had not been touched despite that drivers carry million litres of fuel.

He said there was need to train drivers on handling of dangerous material and goods in transport and logistics. Defensive driving should also be looked into because many Batswana are not skilled in that area which raises a concern, he said. 

Mr Tlhogo stated that work ethic in the transport sector raises concern because there are reports of customers assaulted by combi and taxi drivers. Ends