Vocational education breakthrough
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Eswatini Higher Education Council have entered into a forward-looking strategic alliance, sealed with a memorandum of understanding.
MBABANE - The Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) have entered into a forward-looking strategic alliance, sealed with a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
This partnership is a significant development poised to overhaul vocational education in Eswatini.
It is coordinated by the Directorate of Industrial and Vocational Training (DIVT).
It seeks to revamp vocational training by aligning educational programmes with industry requirements.
The agreement focuses on creating and approving academic curricula for professional qualifications in the vocational sector.
It also aims to ensure that training providers’ outputs meet real industry requirements, by accrediting TVET programmes and monitoring both new and existing training institutions.
This MoU aligns with ESHEC’s mandate, which includes developing and implementing a quality assurance framework for universities, colleges and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. ESHEC registers service providers and accredits learning programmes.
This framework ensures that service providers meet high standards and that learning programmes are relevant and effective.
Additionally, the
MoU meets the expectations set forth in the National Technical and Vocational Education Training Policy 2022–2027, which assigns ESHEC the responsibility of establishing and operationalising a quality assurance framework for TVET delivery.
Transform
“The MoU guarantees both transparency and accountability, while establishing a clear roadmap for our collaborative efforts to transform vocational training in Eswatini,” said Principal Secretary Makhosini Mndawe, who signed on behalf of the ministry.
“The agreement tackles the pressing issue of youth unemployment and empowers the upcoming generation.
“Acting as a beacon for our present and future partnerships, it also serves as a benchmark for all our initiatives to provide improved educational outcomes and sustainable livelihoods.”
Mndawe explained that the MoU focuses on creating academic programmes that meet industry requirements, ensuring high standards among training providers and establishing advisory committees to guide vocational training initiatives.
The MoU focuses on several critical areas: Curriculum development:
Creating academic programmes that meet industry requirements.
Quality monitoring: Ensuring training providers maintain high standards.
Advisory committees: Establishing panels to guide vocational training initiatives. Regional benchmarking:
Keeping Eswatini’s training programmes current with regional trends.
Resource mobilisation: Securing technical and financial resources to enhance the sector.
Meanwhile, ESHEC Board Chairperson Makhosazana Madondo, noted that the MoU was a starting point for future initiatives and excellence in the TVET sector. She said the collaboration aims to tackle youth unemployment and skills mismatch, crucial issues in the country.
Journey
“The signing of this MoU is just the beginning of our collaborative journey,” Madondo said. “We share a broad vision that includes benchmarking, developing new programme, and more. It is inspiri n g to see the ministry, through the DIVT, proactively pursuing excellence and relevance in the TVET sector.”
In another matter, ESHEC CEO Dr Loretta Mkhonta described the partnership as a new era in vocational education, focusing on aligning educational outcomes with industry needs.
She said the initiative aims to enhance graduates’ employability and drive socio-economic development in Eswatini.
“By working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security through the DIVT, we are committed to creating a robust framework that addresses the skills mismatch and enhances the employability of our graduates,” she said.
Dr Mkhonta emphasised that this initiative is a pivotal step towards aligning educational outcomes with industry needs, driving socio-economic development in the country.
She added that by aligning vocational training with industry requirements, the partnership seeks to position Eswatini as a centre of skilled labour and innovation.
This strategic alignment is vital for attracting investment, especially in sectors with high potential for job creation and export-driven growth.
One initiative that ESHEC will join is the World Skills Programme, a global platform for skills excellence and development.
This competition brings together youth, industries and educators, offering young people the opportunity to compete, gain experience and excel in their chosen skills.
Held both internationally and regionally, the competition aims to elevate the profile and recognition of skilled individuals, particularly students in Eswatini, highlighting the significance of skills in driving economic growth and personal success.
supporT
These initiatives support Eswatini’s National Development Strategy (NDS) and the Strategic Roadmap 2019-2023, both of which stress the importance of a skilled and diverse workforce for socio-economic progress and poverty reduction.
Worth emphasising is that the partnership prioritises the empowerment of youth, people living with disabilities and women through skills development and employment opportunities.
Addressing the barriers they face, particularly in rural areas, is essential for reducing unemployment and fostering economic independence.
In that stead, the collaboration seeks to provide marketable skills and pathways to sustainable livelihoods.
The 2021 National Skills Audit revealed a significant skills mismatch, with many graduates’ qualifications not aligning with industry needs.
Informed
The MoU aims to bridge these gaps by developing curricula informed by industry requirements and ensuring high-quality education from training providers.
“The skills audit highlighted the critical gaps in our education system. Our collaboration with the DIVT aims to bridge these gaps by developing curricula that are directly informed by industry needs and by ensuring that our training providers are equipped to deliver high-quality education,” Dr Mkhonta emphasised.
According to the Integrated Labour Force Survey 2021, there is a high unemployment rate in Eswatini, with youth unemployment at 58.2 per cent.
The National Skills Audit of 2021 indicates that the main obstacle is the disparity between the available skills and those required by the job market.
The absence of present and future demand-oriented skills development also contributes immensely to the challenge. Despite the government’s submtantial investment and the production of numerous graduates, unemployment remains a structural challenge in the country.
Against that background, TVET is crucial for human development and a country’s investment climate. The partnership between ESHEC and the DIVT will go a long way to improve vocational education through strategic interventions, including developing occupational standards, upgrading training equipment, and training TVET personnel in modern techniques.
Promoting on-the-job training and apprenticeships ensures students gain practical experience, enhancing employability.
International capacity-building partnerships will keep Eswatini’s vocational training aligned with global best practice.
Dr Mkhonta emphasised the significance of this partnership within the broader scope of Eswatini’s developmental objectives.
“Our collaborative efforts are crucial for identifying and addressing the skills gaps in our economy.
“By aligning our educational system with the demands of the job market, we not only enhance employability, but also foster comprehensive national development.”
As Eswatini progresses towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2030, this partnership marks a significant advancement.
alIgns
Ensuring that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable development aligns with SDG 4 on Quality Education.
The MoU between the DIVT and ESHEC transcends a mere formal agreement.
It symbolises a beacon of hope for emaSwati, promising a future where skills align with job opportunities, education leads to empowerment, and the socio-economic fabric of the nation grows stronger.
This partnership is poised to transform Eswatini into a hub of skilled innovators and artisans, prepared to compete globally and drive economic prosperity forward.