13 Sep 2017

The Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the German Engineering Association to roll out engineering courses at the Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) learning institute.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, MELSD permanent secretary, Ms Pearl Ramokoka said the collaboration between her ministry and the German Engineering Association would from January 2018 introduce courses on mechatronics, programme logic control as well as hydraulics and pneumatics.

She stated that the partnership between her ministry and the engineering association aims to facilitate job creation through the development of a globally competitive workforce, harmonious labour relations and safe workplace for economic prosperity.

She said the signing of the MoU came at the right time  as the country has committed to bridge the gap between education training and the workforce to ensure that graduates were not only academically qualified, but  were also skilled to contribute towards improving the country’s economy.

She said she was optimistic that the input of the German association in improving the country’s skilled workforce would go a milestone in adding value and boasting the economy, noting that emphasis will be on practicality than theory.

German Engineering Association president, Dr Reinhold Festge expressed delight towards their partnership with MELSD and applauded relations between Botswana and Germany.
 He said his association was devoted to contribute in improving the workforce across the world hence the need to partner with MELSD in empowering CITF graduates with the required technicalities to prosper in the cooperate world. Ends