BY NOMTHANDAZO MAYISELA (INTERN)
MBABANE– As many young emaSwati continue searching for employment opportunities, government and training partners are strengthening vocational education programmes aimed at equipping youth with practical and industry-ready skills.
The Directorate of Industrial and Vocational Training (DIVT), under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, has commenced workshops for the development of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) for National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels Two to Four in Automobile Electrician, Fashion Technology, and Plumbing and Heating.
According to information shared by the Ministry, the three-day workshops are funded by the Taiwan Technical Mission and GFA Consulting Group. The initiative aims to develop unit standard-based vocational qualifications that will support the formulation of trade testing standards, apprenticeship and learnership training guides, as well as curriculum development for vocational institutions.
The workshops have brought together industry experts and vocational institution instructors to help ensure that training standards are aligned with industry demands and national quality assurance requirements. Attendance is strictly by invitation.
Eswatini continues to face youth unemployment challenges, making technical and vocational training increasingly important in preparing young people for the labour market and self-employment opportunities. Practical trades such as plumbing, fashion technology and automobile electrical work are among sectors that continue to require skilled workers.
The National Qualifications Framework was introduced to promote standardisation and quality assurance in education and training, while ensuring that qualifications respond to labour market needs.
By developing standardised vocational qualifications, the initiative is expected to improve consistency in skills training across institutions and strengthen the credibility of vocational education in the country.
Government and development partners have increasingly promoted apprenticeships, learnerships and technical education as important pathways for economic participation, especially among young people seeking alternatives to conventional academic routes.
The workshops also reflect ongoing cooperation between Eswatini and international partners in strengthening skills development and workforce readiness.
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(Courtesy Pic)
