Lobatse Business Community commits to utilising the HRD Fund

According to the World Bank, Botswana has made some progress in reducing its dependence on diamonds in the past 20 years, nonetheless the level of economic diversification needed to offset diminishing mineral revenues remains a challenge.

Through the establishment of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), the Government of Botswana has recognised this challenge and acknowledged that there is need for transformation towards a sustainable human resource - based economy.

Amongst its efforts in driving towards a knowledge - based society, HRDC aims to increase the quality of work based training through utilising the Human Resource Development (HRD) Fund. This fund is used for reimbursing Levy Payers the costs incurred in training their employees. Since there is a challenge of low uptake of the Fund by Levy Payers, HRDC is engaged in consultative campaigns, promoting the utilisation of HRD Fund in order to improve Work-Place Learning.

On the 29th November 2016, HRDC engaged the Lobatse Business Community to sensitise (create awareness and educate) them on the HRD Fund as well as Work - Place Learning benefits. The consultative meeting came at a crucial time since Lobatse is one of the ever growing towns and has a potential of growing its economy from the myriad businesses it is endowed with.

During the meeting, Work - Place Planner, Mr. Kelesitse Maikaelelo gave a background on HRDC, reflecting on its transition from its previous organisational status as Tertiary Education Council (T.E.C). Mr. Maikaelelo noted that the HRD Fund (previously called Training Levy) was transferred from Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) to HRDC and now has increased its scope in terms of the level of training.

Mr. Maikaelelo informed the attendants about Work - Place learning regulations, underscoring that employers must ensure that they train according to the skills needs required in their work - places.  Mr. Maikaelelo noted that the solution to the country’s outcry for lack of skills can only be solved by employers training their employees to increase the volume of skilled workforce in the labour market and that the training should  ultimately enhance the work ethic. “HRD Fund functions cannot be isolated from the skills planning,” concluded Maikaelelo.

Mr Ndiwo Makula, HRDC’s Manager, Claims Assessor  gave an overview of HRD Fund elaborating on its administration, reimbursement regulations and submission of claims.

Mr Makula emphasised that training activities should be only undertaken at accredited training providers and that their programmes should also be accredited by Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). Mr Makula stressed that, “Training providers must ensure that they prepare an attendance register for each programme and trainees

must sign for each day of training also delivering the training in accordance to the number of hours stipulated in the Botswana National Qualifications Framework (BNCQF)”. 

In response, attendees were eager to know more about the HRD Fund, particularly on its regulations and requirements which effectively facilitates reimbursement of claims within reasonable time when correctly adhered to.  

The attendees also raised their concerns, including the time that HRDC takes to process their reimbursement claims. The attendees recommended automation approach to HRDC, as a means of enhancing service delivery. 

“Automated processes are always the best and convenient in handling claims or reimbursement submissions. Automation plans are in the pipeline at HRDC, it is a costly exercise that requires consultation and sufficient funding. When all that has been put in place, then HRDC will then automate its services” said Makula. 

The meeting was a resounding success and productive as evidenced by discussions that ensued between the two parties. 

The meeting culminated in both parties agreeing on mitigation strategies and tactics that will rectify the challenges. The Lobatse Business Community encouraged HRDC to continue disseminating this important information so as Batswana can benefit from the HRD Fund thereby driving Botswana towards a knowledge – based society.

 

 

 

News Date: 
Tuesday, November 29, 2016