07 Nov 2023

Investing in Batswana in terms of knowledge and skills capabilities remains a priority for government, in collaboration with development partners, says President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Delivering the State-of-the-Nation Address on Monday, President Masisi said government also encouraged the private sector to utilise the Human Resource Development Fund to upskill employees in order to improve service delivery, productivity and innovation.

He said in the past five years employers had on average upskilled around 30 000 employees each year through the fund.

He noted that employees in major sectors of the economy such as mining, retail, finance and health had actively participated in workplace learning.

President Masisi said a nation’s development process and profile depended not only on the production of goods, but also on the nurturing and enhancement of human capabilities, creativity and talents that were the driving force of social transformation.

“It takes the provision of quality education and training, quality health as well as equitable access to economic resources and opportunities to drive holistic socio-economic development,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said government was reviewing the Human Resource Development Council Act as well as the Human Resource Development Fund’s legal and administrative instruments, adding that it would ease the utilisation of the fund in facilitating skills development.

Dr Masisi further said an enhanced Labour Market Information System was being developed to provide insight on labour supply and demand, skills gaps, industrial trends and employment opportunities.

He said the project was expected to be completed in October 2024.

Furthermore, he said in line with the national human resource development strategy, Botswana Examinations Council had been transformed with an expanded mandate to cover pre-primary education as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

He said the council would determine assessment standards as well as supervise the setting, moderation and administration of assessment products. ENDS