On July 26th 2024, ESEPARC joined forces with the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) and Taiwan Technical Mission to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to undertake a National Labour Market Skills Project. This ambitious initiative builds on the findings of the Skills Audit of 2021, conducted with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The project aims to map out the labour market landscape in Eswatini, providing crucial data on skills availability, absorption, shortages, and future needs.
The National Labour Market Skills Project is designed to conduct a comprehensive survey of employers across the public and private sectors. The primary objective is to generate detailed statistical data on the current state and future needs of various skills and trades within Eswatini. The project will produce several key outputs, including a labour market skills anticipation report and an industry demand and supply assessment for vocational trades. These insights are intended to guide policy and decision-making for the government, employers, education and training providers, and individuals, with the ultimate goal of improving the country’s human resource development landscape.
ESEPARC will be responsible for the coordination, management, and implementation of the project. This effort is part of the Centre’s broader mission to contribute to Eswatini’s social and economic development through evidence-based research to merge evidence-based decision-making with policy programming and implementation.
The importance of Collaboration in Skills Development
Dr. Loretta Mkhonta from ESHEC opened the event by emphasising the significance of this partnership. She noted the importance of forming partnerships to achieve institutional and national goals. Dr. Mkhonta underscored the critical nature of skills development, particularly in technical vocational education and training (TVET) and praised the collaborative effort with Taiwan Technical Mission and ESEPARC. “Skills development is cross-cutting,” she said, “and it requires the involvement of multiple sectors, including the Ministry of Labour and other government departments.”
Dr. Sacolo from ESEPARC further expressed his appreciation for the partnership and the continued support for skills development in Eswatini. He acknowledged the critical role of skills in driving social and economic change, creating better and innovative industries, and sustainable environments. Dr. Sacolo highlighted that the project’s success hinges on the collective effort of all stakeholders and the comprehensive data that will be provided by both public and private organisations.
Keynote Address by Mr. Fernando Yeh
Mr. Fernando Yeh, Chief of Taiwan Technical Mission, delivered an inspiring keynote address. He reflected on Taiwan’s economic transformation from the 1960s to 2024, attributing this success to a focus on skills development. “In the 1960s, Taiwan’s per capita GDP was around $200 USD,” he noted. “Today, it is estimated to be around $40,000 USD. This significant improvement showcases Taiwan’s transition to a more advanced, high-tech economy.” Mr. Yeh expressed confidence in Eswatini’s potential to achieve similar progress and emphasised the importance of comprehensive data collection to guide academic institutions in skill development. He stated, “If you want to go far, you cannot go alone. We need to put our resources together to come up with comprehensive information and ensure that academic institutions are empowered to do better and more for the kingdom.”
The National Labour Market Skills Project represents a significant milestone for the Kingdom of Eswatini, in ensuring consistent supply of data on skills development to address the labour market needs of Eswatini. By providing detailed insights on the current and future state of skills and trades, the project aims to inform and improve policy and decision-making, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic and social development.
Looking forward to the Future!
The MOA signing marks the beginning of an exciting journey for ESEPARC, ESHEC, and Taiwan Technical Mission. With a strong focus on collaboration, comprehensive data collection, and evidence-based decision-making, the National Labour Market Skills Project is set to make a substantial impact on Eswatini’s labour market landscape. As Dr. Sacolo put it, “We are looking forward to this assignment with no doubt that it will be a beautiful and interesting journey, delivering valuable results for the benefit of the economy and the people of Eswatini.”
