08/02/2019
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT OF GERMANY ACKNOWLEDGES THE IMPORTANCE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN VDMA AND MELSD
On Tuesday the 5th, Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (MELSD) welcomed the delegates from the National Parliament of Germany and the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, Verband Maschinen-und Anlagenbau (VDMA) at Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) in Gaborone. The purpose of this visit was to appreciate the different workshops set up for vocational training and skills development. MELSD and VDMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 12th September 2017 which forged a partnership between the Botswana Government and VDMA on training programs offered by VDMA as a reaction to the needs of the economy in areas of Programmable Logic Control (PLC), Hydraulics, Pneumatics and Mechatronics. The Hydraulics facility was officially launched by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr.Frank Walter Steinnmeier.MELSD also organized a tour at CITF and Madirelo Testing and Training Centre, where VDMA delegates were able to interact with the students within those institutions and to observe how the students operate machinery. After the tour there was a panel discussion where different stakeholders had presentations and also interacted with each other.
Minister of Employment, Labor Productivity and Skills Development, Honorable Tshenolo A. Mabeo who also took part in the tour said that their partnership has beard fruits since some of the trainees have already benefited from the training. To this end a total of 90 trainees have already benefited from the training” he said. He added that indeed this partnership is relevant and of mutual benefit to all parties involved because it has created an opportunity for employment facilitation and empowerment of Batswana which forms part of this Ministry. A representative from VDMA Dr. Norbet Volker also expressed gratitude towards their partnership with MELSD as it promotes collaboration between all relevant stakeholders in Botswana and in Germany. He presented their initiative programme called Skilled Workers for Africa showcasing their mandate to change the lives of Batswana. The documentary also had clips of training exercise that have taken place since the beginning of this partnership.
When closing the occasion, the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development Ms Pearl N. Ramokoka expressed her gratitude towards all the stakeholders present pointing out their relevance in building a well-rounded Botswana with skilled manpower for a globally competitive workforce. She also acknowledged the importance and the presence of the media personalities that attended this event adding that having a mutual relationship with the media is very important in moving Botswana forward.
Pearl Ramokoka
Neo Lenkopane
