HRDC ENGAGES EDUCATION TRAINING PROVIDERS (ETPs) ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (HRD) FUND SERVICES

Education and Training Providers (ETPs) are a critical stakeholder to the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), hence on the 24^th June, 2022. HRDC engaged them virtually though a workshop., The overall objective of the workshop was to educate ETPs about HRDC services with emphasis on Human Resource Development (HRD) Fund. Also to sensitise ETPs about HRDC’s expectations with regards to the training service they provide to Levy and Non-Levy payers to ensure compliance to Fund requirements. This was in line with the HRDC Act No. 17 of 2013, Section 4 (2) which mandates HRDC among others to provide advice on management, planning and financing with specific reference to; reimbursing employers who incurred training costs for apprentices or trainees.

Giving the welcome remarks during the workshop, the Acting (Ag) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HRDC, Mr. Meshack Tafa opined that Botswana’s key mission as we transition the Country to a knowledge based economy is to develop a globally competitive human resource. He emphasised that, to achieve this, we firstly need to address the knowledge and skills gap that currently exist within our Country’s Human Capital Development landscape. “In this regard, ETPs play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the country through the necessary work of training and skills development” Mr. Tafa remarked. The Ag CEO further pronounced that ETPs play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the country through the necessary work of training and skills development, in this regard, there is a need to share ideas that can iron out issues affecting our expected performance and advance our partnership further.

 In concluding his remarks, Mr Tafa informed the participants that HRDC has fully implemented the process of Recognition of Non-credit Bearing Short Courses (NCBSC), a function which originally was carried out by Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA). “Our aim is to simplify and streamline the function such that it serves you efficiently and effectively. You are also involved in assisting companies in development of their annual work skills plans and I implore you to listen carefully and contribute your ideas as the Department of Human Resource Development Planning (HRDP)-Supply leads the discussion” Mr. Tafa underscored.

Giving her presentation, the then Acting Director of Human Resource Development Planning (HRDP) – Supply, Ms Marianyana Selelo, informed the participants about Workplace Learning functions which entail: Work-Skills Plans; Pre-Approval Process; as well as requirements of pre-approval and observations. Ms Selelo also informed the ETPs about the NCBSC, noting that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development made a decision to transfer the quality assurance function of NCBSC from BQA to HRDC in December 2020 which was to be effected on 1^st April 2021. She informed the workshop that the purpose of the NCBSCs are to address the operational skills gaps in the industry and to respond to the new skills needs of the economy. Through her presentation, the ETPs had an opportunity to appreciate the NCBSCs with regards to their background, templates, recognition criteria and requirements, schedule of fees and withdrawal of recognition.

Presenting on the Human Resource Development Planning (Demand) function,  the Director of HRDP – Demand, at HRDC, Dr. Fernando Siamisang emphasised that there is need to re-focus our HRD Planning methods to ensure they produce plans relevant to the Socio-Economic and Technology changes which are driving strategic direction of many economies around the world. Dr Siamisang explained areas where change is required to drive towards this strategic intent. In the area of transformation of the Education  and Training space, change is required with regards to; setting up strong foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at Primary and Secondary Schools; integration of Technology into the Arts without compromising our Indigenous Knowledge (technology improves growth and efficiency); improve Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Schools and other Educational Facilities in Primary and Secondary Schools; and investment in up-skilling of Teachers and Trainers.

Further, with regards to Research and Development, Dr Siamisang emphasised that there is need to: strengthen research and ICT at primary and secondary schools and they be used as enablers across the curriculum; improve research infrastructure and facilities at Universities and Research Institutions; increase national research budgets (Universities & Research Institutions and for other Researchers); development of specialised skills for researchers; development of specialised skills for researchers; as well as increase in research commercialisation and research outputs and products proving solutions to challenges in the Industry. Pertaining to Job Creation, Dr. Siamisang advised that the new Ministry of Entrepreneurship should coordinate and facilitate a conducive environment for transition from knowledge creation and skills development to Job Creation.

The Director of Funding, at HRDC, Mr. Mothusi Masole gave an overview of the Human Resource Development (HRD) Fund, noting that it is a training fund that has been established to advance Botswana’s skills development. “It is operated through a levy grant system where companies pay a levy into the HRD Fund and are reimbursed costs that they incurred training their employees. It aims at increasing the quality of work based training” Mr Masole explained. Through this presentation, the ETPs had an opportunity to appreciate their role in the process of claiming from the HRD Fund. Mr Masole outlined some of the challenges encountered by the HRD Fund in view of the ETPs, those amongst many including: submission of questionable documents; providing levy payers with misleading information in order to get business resulting in rejection of claims due to non-compliance; colluding with companies to claim for training that never took place; Training on certain programme modules when the programmes are not modularised at BQA.

Reflecting on the proposed measures/ solutions to mitigate these challenges, Mr Masole noted some which entail: consideration of blacklisting ETPs who do not comply with the requirements of their accreditation/recognition status; consideration to cause ETPs to register for inclusion on a database where they would also publish fees for public consumption (transparency); consideration to introduce cost ceilings for certain courses; and procurement of new HRDF system (e-HRDF) that will allow HRD Fund clients to submit applications online (claims as well as NCBSCs).

In conclusion, Mr Masole reminded the ETPs that they are working within a regulated environment where quality is key. “You are therefore challenged to deliver quality and relevant skills aimed at advancing the education and training industry. Let us all play a role towards ensuring our Botswana achieves its knowledge based economy status” he concluded.