28 Nov 2022

A workforce with specific skills that are instrumental in driving the economy is critical especially in the advent of an ever changing labour market.

 This, according to Cresta Maun general manager, Dr Seth Mongwaketse could only be achieved through government and private sector’s support of human resource development.

 Dr Mongwaketse who was speaking at Career Dreams Centre graduation ceremony called  for  support of  development of technical skills especially in the tourism sector. 

The tourism sector, he said was a highly specialised industry that required specific skills  of international standard.

“ There can never be growth in the industry without the specific skills.  In the past we have experienced mismatch between technical skills required by the sector and the education provided at learning institutions,” he added.

 Dr Mongwaketse noted that the quality of workforce that a country produced determined  its economic, social and political progress. 

  To the graduates, he advised them to learn from those who were already practising in the industry.  

  He said the tourism industry need experience, therefore they should welcome coaching  to broaden their skills.  

  He also challenged them to believe in themselves, respect their jobs, show commitment and never forget excellence as that would drive them to success.

“You need to be trusted with the responsibility that is bestowed upon you by your employer,’ he added.

  He also commended  Career Dreams Centre in developing technical skills needed by the tourism industry noting that the relevance and the importance of such skills in the hospitality and tourism sectors could not be over emphasised.

 Career Dreams Centre director, Ms Lesedi Karanja said the centre’s aim  was to  provide the learners  with high quality learning experiences which was in line with their motto ‘learn by doing’.

  The centre, she said continued to discharge its mandate by developing skills in the hospitality and tourism industry adding that “being based in one of the tourism hotspots, we became aware of the skills gap between most graduates and what the industry needs and we found that most of the graduates did not possess the required and necessary skills the industry needed,” she added.

 Ms Karanja said that the centre provided students with the  skills training for the  industry. 

 The training, she said was designed to equip young women and men with required skills set to earn them entry-level job noting that in most cases the jobs led to a life-long career with some venturing in hospitality and tourism business as proprietors.

 She said most of their graduate had been absorbed in the tourism industry in Ngamiland and beyond while some had established their own businesses.

 “We do not take skills and training in the tourism for granted because we are aware of the importance of this sector in the country’s economy,” she added.

 Matlapana area councillor, Mr Kobamelo Baikgodisi thanked the centre for its contribution in the tourism industry by providing professional training.

   Tourism industry, he said needed a highly disciplined workforce which could accommodate diverse  cultures both locally, regionally and internationally. BOPA