14 Jun 2017

Government has hailed skills development as an alternative to employment creation.

Speaking at the inauguration of Vocational Careers and Skills Fair for all junior schools in Kgatleng and Molefi Senior School at Kgatleng Brigade Centre recently, the education director for Kgatleng, Mr Kereng Koko said the fair aimed to increase awareness of vocational education and training and showcase projects done by brigade students.

He said the fair could not come at a better time than now when the government’s quest to facilitate employment opportunities could only be achieved through skills development.

Mr Koko said brigades had an important role to play to drive skills development and make it a reality.

He added that brigades were institutions of choice given their track record on the production of skilled workforce that was industry ready.

Mr Koko said students should understand that brigades were not for failures, but were important based on the skills they offered, adding that brigades offered scarce skills.

Furthermore, Mr Koko said skills offered at brigades created jobs for students rather than relying on the government for employment.

He urged all to use brigades for their benefit. He said the fair would also provide students with the tools and resources to make important and valuable career decisions.

Mr Koko said if all stakeholders in education, training, psycho socio-development and employment sectors could collaborate, more could be achieved in becoming a knowledge based economy.

For his part, Kgatleng Brigade Centre principal, Mr Segale Mokotedi said the economy of the country could only improve if blue collar skills were taken more seriously by all stakeholders.

Mr Mokotedi said the problem with other career fairs was that they offered more information than performance which caused indecisiveness among students.

Mr Mokotedi urged students to be cooperative as the fair was for them to acquire knowledge and show interest in what they wanted in life.

Brigade alumni, Mr Doctor Mokgadi said he was now a proud owner of a construction company which builds houses for companies and people.

He said he started at the brigade in 2002 studying bricklaying and plastering, and that he continued his studies at Limkokwing University attaining both his diploma and degree from the institution.

Mr Mokgadi said accepting life challenges did not mean giving up hope, as he waited years to do his National Craft Certificate (NCC), which he achieved in Kweneng.

He said he worked in construction companies for experience while waiting.

Mr Mokgadi said not performing well at junior or senior level did not determine one’s fate, but what you do after you have failed determined your future.

He added that his response to failure was a bigger achievement.

He advised students to have the  final say in their lives and not to have anyone dictating their lives for them.

He encouraged them to pursue their dreams and to live the life they had always dreamt of.

Deputy principal, Ms Nametso Ditlhakeng thanked all those who made the career fair a success and urged students to take their skills seriously.

She said without the right tools, nothing good could be reaped, adding that working hard and determination brought success.

Ms Ditlhakeng also urged students to ignore the products they saw in companies and people’s lives, but to focus more on behind the scenes, and asking successful people questions instead of envying them. ENDS