Strengthening employment relevant TVET II in Botswana

ContextSince gaining independence in 1966, Botswana has transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations to an upper middle-income country. Despite this development, the country still faces major challenges. It lacks skilled workers in many areas. Vocational education and training needs to focus more on labour-market realities in terms of both quality and quantity. This is necessary in order to improve the country’s economic structure and reduce risks. Botswana relies on diamond exports. With a view to reducing this dependence, the country needs to develop an internationally competitive economy supported by a highly skilled workforce. Botswana needs employment-oriented TVET programmes that meet the highest quality standards. At present, however, neither the coordinating divisions in the ministries nor the TVET institutions have the organisational capacities or personnel required to achieve this.ObjectiveThe capacities of the responsible ministries and TVET authorities to manage and implement demand-led vocational education and training have been strengthened. Certain TVET institutions offer demand-oriented training and further education measures in selected occupational fields.ApproachThe core elements of the project are advisory services and qualification measures for key stakeholders in the area of vocational education and training. This develops the capacity not only of staff in the ministries and in the TVET institutions, but also of actors in the private sector. The measures benefit graduates and the labour market, in particular.Two ministries in Botswana, namely the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoTE) and the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (MELSD), are chiefly responsible for vocational education and training. The project supports both of them in achieving their goals of effectively managing and implementing vocational education and training courses.Specifically, it supports the divisions responsible for teacher training and programme development in various activities. For example, it aims to create demand-oriented, modern and dynamic curricula, as well as teaching and assessment materials. The project adopts an established approach that systematically involves representatives from the private sector in curriculum design. In addition, staff are empowered to provide training courses on the newly developed standards and curricula. Previously introduced instruments and approaches for demand orientation, including placements of teaching staff in industry and guest lectures, will be expanded. There are plans to introduce these instruments at as many of Botswana’s TVET institutions as possible.A further key aspect of the project is the introduction of analysis and evaluation procedures at different levels in order to document and consolidate the results achieved.The project builds on a predecessor project (2015 to 2018), the results of which are being evaluated and consolidated. The project is now extending successfully tested instruments to new regions, occupational fields, TVET institutions and cooperation arrangements with the private sector.

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