08 Sep 2024

Ipelegeng Skills Development Component (ISDC) is a cornerstone of government’s efforts to enhance productivity and encourage a mindset change among beneficiaries and communities.

The training and successful completion of the programme by the beneficiaries was a significant milestone.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Talitha Monnakgotla said during the programme graduation ceremony in Gaborone on Tuesday.

A total of 45 beneficiaries were trained in the fields of plumbing, bricklaying, carpentering and floor tiling among other trades.  “The ISDC is set to improve productivity, mindset change, entrepreneurial and life skills development as well as to empower beneficiaries to prepare them for sustainable employment opportunities that will lead to the attainment of Vision 2036 aspirations of economic growth,” she said.

Ms Monnakgotla said as a result of ISDC, beneficiaries had better chance of improving their confidence and drive at work, which could make people realise the importance of such trades.  She said now that beneficiaries were given certificates after training, those would c assist them to get employment.

“ISDC is the foundation of it all, and with continued support and investment in the programme, communities are poised to experience sustainable developments, another aspiration of the Vision 2036,” the assistant Minister said.

The ISDC beneficiaries were trained at Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) and some of the projects they undertook during training and successfully completed, included construction of leobo and ablution block at Village and Government wards and paving of Broadhurst cemetery among others.

CITF Regional Coordinator, Mr Geoffrey Matswa said a total of 3 000 beneficiaries had been trained at CITF since inception of the programme adding that the goal was to train 25 000 beneficiaries by next year though COVID 19 made it difficult to accomplish the goal.

He encouraged beneficiaries to be daring and fully utilise the skills they gained not only to improve their lives but also to contribute to economic diversification and job development. ENDS