07 Mar 2019

Karowe Diamond Mine general manager, Mr Johane Mchive, says there is need for transformation that will take into cognisance needs of the labour market.

He said while more people obtained qualifications due to increased demand for tertiary education, there was shortage in skilled workforce in some sectors.

Mr Mchive made the remarks when delivering keynote address to mark official opening of Botswana Human Resource Development Skills Fair and Career Clinics (BHRDS) in Francistown on March 6.

He underscored the importance of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) policy particularly the draft human resource plan, which he said had taken on board critical steps to facilitate Botswana towards knowledge based economy.

“The plan has indeed prioritised skills development with the aim to do away with skills mismatch to ensure priority skills are continuously assessed and dually communicated,” he said adding that this would help develop curriculum that was responsive to the market.

Mr Mchive expressed need to catch children when young and guide them on career opportunities.

Learners, he stated, needed to be guided for their sake and that of the country and as such commended HRDC for rolling out the fair.

Francistown mayor, Ms Sylvia Muzila, said the fair, which was held in Francistown for the third time, had not only brought with it vibrancy but also boasted SMME’s and created employment for city dwellers.

She said BHRDS came at atime when leadership of the city had planned to maximise on events of its nature.

“It is my sincere believe that the fair would substantially benefit prospective students,” she said.

Ms Muzila also applauded HRDC for the effort to inform learners to make informed career choices. ENDS