03 Feb 2025

Plans are underway to expand the Ipelegeng Skills Development Component (ISDC) to include other sectors such as agriculture and tourism, among others. 

The overall objective is to expand the skills base in the country and empower as many people as possible.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 20 ISDC beneficiaries in Jwaneng recently, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ms Tshepo Kebakile said consultations would be carried out to strategise how the programme could be expanded beyond the construction sector.

She said through the initiative, government was committed to empowering many Batswana who would in turn create employment opportunities for themselves and others in their communities.

“The overall objective is to improve our skills and equip beneficiaries for sustainable livelihoods. We acknowledge that most Ipelegeng workers are young people who have the potential to contribute towards the development of the country in various ways,” she said.

She urged beneficiaries to work together and complement each other’s strengths in order to make a mark in the industry. She also implored them to invest in developing their skills further and building robust business entities.

“This graduation should not be the end for you, but instead you should develop yourselves further in the business aspect by enrolling for other important fields such as financial management, which will assist you build your businesses,” she noted.

Ms Kebakile underscored the need to be professional and uphold best work ethics, which would contribute towards building rapport with their clients. She further urged them to do their jobs diligently to ensure that projects were completed on time and within budget.

Jwaneng/Mabutsane Member of Parliament, Mr Omphementse Kwapa called on graduates to deliver quality service that would make a mark in the construction industry in Jwaneng and beyond. 

He encouraged them to upgrade their skills to keep up with emerging trends in the market and boost their profiles. He appealed to them to transfer skills to others in their communities and engage them in unskilled and semi-skilled tasks. 

He pleaded with the council and other organisations to provide graduates with support to assist them in building their profiles.

Jwaneng mayor, Mr Ronica Ntsimako commended Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) for its contribution to skills development and economic growth in the country. 

He said technical skills were instrumental in shaping the future of the country and empowering communities. The mayor noted that ISDC resonated with government’s commitment to promoting technical education as an integral part of growing the economy. 

He said the programme provided hope for the local communities and contributed towards developing the local economy.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Shawn Kauwane hailed ISDC programme, which he said did not only equip them with skills, but also assisted in boosting their confidence and self-reliance. 

He said the multi-faceted training would go a long way in building a base for the necessary skills in the construction industry. He appealed to local organisations to engage them for jobs, which would contribute towards nurturing their skills and practicing what they have learned. ENDS