LABOUR MARKET OBSERVATORY (LMO) STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGED

The use of Information Communication and Technology in the modern world of work is critical as it facilitates awareness, easy access of information and policymaking decisions on dynamics of the labour market. Amongst its core functions, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) is responsible for establishing and managing a national Labour Market Information System (LMIS) and national education and skills development database. It is on the basis of this function that HRDC is spearheading the composition of the Labour Market Observatory (LMO) Committee to observe the labour market trends. The goal of the LMO is to provide relevant, quality and timely labour market information for users to make informed decisions regarding the labour market situation in Botswana.

On the 21st July, 2018, HRDC hosted a Stakeholder Engagement Meeting at Phakalane Golf Estate, which was intended to create a common understanding of requirements in the development and implementation of LMIS & EMIS and solicit stakeholder support. The objectives of the meeting were to; appreciate previous and on-going initiatives relating to Education, Training and LMIS to ensure that HRDC does not reinvent the wheel. The meeting called for alignment of structures,

systems, processes and capabilities that create readiness for establishing a robust integrated information system with a Change Management Plan.

During the meeting, Dr Raphael Dingalo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HRDC informed the attendants about the mandate of HRDC and the role of the Council in coordinating and managing the LMO Botswana. In his address, Dr Dingalo stated that LMO is a platform that monitors, understands and reports on labour market patterns and trends. “These trends are ever changing owing to changes in demographics, technological advances, occupations, skills required and training demands hence they need to be monitored,” said Dr Dingalo.

Dr Dingalo also explained the benefits of LMO, noting that it provides information on the number of jobs created as a result of the implementation of Employment Creation Policies and Programmes. Further, he added that the LMO provides regular, accurate and time series data on employment information to guide policy and programme development as well as supporting the formulation and implementation of efficient labour market interventions. “When armed with information on how many people are qualified for certain types of jobs both locally and Internationally, investors (employers) will be able to effectively determine how easy or difficult it is to find new employees and how to best direct recruitment efforts”, Dr Dingalo explained.

In conclusion, Dr Dingalo emphasised that development of the LMO is a national project and not an HRDC project – hence the name Botswana Labour Market Observatory. The key implication is that all key stakeholders will need to collaborate with HRDC to develop methods for sharing the information between themselves and the LMIS, regardless of where the data is stored. “These will, in some cases, require entering into MoUs/MoAs with stakeholders, therefore, all should be ready to embrace HRDC and collaborate with it for the LMO to be realised”, said Dr Dingalo