BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi has called for increased investment in skills development, describing skilled human capital as a critical foundation for Eswatini’s economic transformation, productivity and employment creation.
Buthelezi made the call while addressing the awarding of trade test certificates to successful candidates, where he emphasised that skills development must remain one of the country’s national priorities as Eswatini seeks to strengthen its productive capacity, attract investment, support entrepreneurship and create decent employment.
The Minister said the occasion was about more than simply handing over certificates, describing it as a celebration of skills, competence, perseverance and opportunity.
He congratulated the successful candidates, saying their achievement demonstrated that young people could acquire the skills required to build productive and fulfilling livelihoods when provided with commitment, discipline, determination and the right opportunities.
“Skills are not simply qualifications on paper. Skills are productive assets,” Buthelezi said.
He explained that skills enable individuals to enter the labour market, establish businesses, provide quality services, increase productivity and contribute to the competitiveness of the economy.
The Minister stressed the importance of strengthening Eswatini’s technical and vocational education and training systems so that the skills being developed respond to the actual needs of the economy.
He said the trade test certificates awarded were significant because they provide tangible evidence that candidates have demonstrated competence in their respective trades.
According to Buthelezi, certification also gives employers, clients and other stakeholders greater confidence in the capabilities of certified individuals.
He encouraged the successful candidates to regard their certificates as a foundation for building better futures for themselves, their families and their communities.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of skills development in addressing youth unemployment, noting that young people represent a significant national resource.
He expressed appreciation to the European Union for supporting skills development in Eswatini through the S4Y Project, saying the partnership demonstrated the value of development cooperation that invests directly in the capabilities of people.
Buthelezi said the support provided through the S4Y Project, including assistance towards trade testing, contributes to strengthening the systems through which skills are developed, assessed and recognised.
He said Government highly valued its partnership with the European Union and looked forward to continued collaboration aimed at strengthening Eswatini’s human capital and expanding opportunities for young people.
The Minister further acknowledged the contribution of the Ministry of Education and Training and various training institutions to the trade testing process.
He noted that the process requires institutions to make workshop spaces available for practical assessments, highlighting the importance of cooperation between Government ministries and training institutions.
Buthelezi said such collaboration demonstrated the need for a coordinated national approach to skills development.
He called for continued efforts to strengthen skills development and certification systems so that they remain credible, responsive and aligned with the needs of Eswatini’s economy.
The Minister also commended the S4Y team, trade test panel members, trade testing officers and others who contributed to the successful administration of the assessments.
He emphasised that the credibility of the country’s certification system depends heavily on the integrity and professionalism of those responsible for administering and assessing trade tests.
Buthelezi said properly conducted assessments ensure that competence is fairly and consistently measured, thereby protecting the value of certificates awarded to successful candidates.
He urged the country to continue investing in skills development, strengthening trade testing and certification systems, and deepening partnerships between Government, development partners, training institutions and industry.
“Above all, let us create more pathways through which the skills of our young people can be translated into productive economic opportunities,” he said.
The Minister said economic development was ultimately about people, adding that equipping citizens with relevant skills, assessing those skills fairly and certifying competence credibly strengthens individuals, families, businesses and the economy as a whole.
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