14 Nov 2016

The level of interest in construction training continues to be minimal in Chobe district as residents prefer to work in the tourism sector.

This has been realised amid huge construction projects in the areas such as Kazungula Bridge project and Kasane Airport Expansion, which necessitated the need for Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) to open a mobile training unit in Kazungula.

“Unfortunately, tourism is the biggest employer, meaning locals are more attracted to tourism related jobs than construction,” said CITF senior marketing and public relations officer, Mr Ditiro Hule.

He stated most locals want to work in the tourism industry because they grew up seeing their parents working in lodges and tourism related jobs, which now seems more of a culture to the locals than building and construction.

“We have addressed kgotla meetings in Satau, Kavimba and Parakarungu also attended career fairs in junior schools. We also work hand in hand with labour and home affairs, to teach the people more about our courses,” stated Mr Hule.

He said they also take their services to the public so that they know and understand what is being provided.

CITF Kazungula Mobile Unit currently has an intake of only 27 per cent of students originating from Chobe, while 73 per cent are students from other districts in Botswana.  

The highest percentage of the intake is from Central district at 41 per cent and some of the students admitted drop-out along the way, not completing the courses .ends