On Monday, 10 February 2025, the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) presented key findings from the TVET Industry Needs Assessment at Eswatini’s first-ever Skills Competition, held at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini. This landmark event brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS), the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC), and the Taiwan Technical Mission , to discuss the future of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Eswatini.
Representing ESEPARC, Research Fellow Mrs. Thembumenzi Dlamini-Mnisi delivered a presentation on the TVET Industry Needs Assessment, conducted as part of the National Labour Market Skills Project (NLMSP). This study, launched by ESEPARC in collaboration with ESHEC and the Taiwan Technical Mission, assesses the demand for vocational skills across industries and identifies critical gaps in Eswatini’s labour market.
Mrs. Dlamini-Mnisi emphasised the importance of aligning Eswatini’s TVET system with industry demands. The study identified key challenges, including skills mismatches, limited resources for training institutions, gender disparities, and the need for stronger industry engagement. The study found that male participation in TVET program trade testing significantly outweighs female participation, with 92.3% of TVET students being male and only 7.7% female. This highlights the need for policies that promote gender inclusivity and encourage more women to enrol in technical fields.
The research also supports integrating Eswatini’s TVET framework with the SADC Qualification Framework to enhance regional employability and mobility prospects. The survey revealed encouraging employment trends for TVET graduates who have trade tested, with 65% of TVET graduates formally employed and 30% having started their own businesses. Graduates also reported higher earnings after obtaining trade testing certificates, with those earning between E3,000–E10,000 increasing from 47.5% to 61.4% post-certification.
The study also examined the effectiveness of the Skills Certification Project implemented by the Taiwan Technical Mission, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and Ministry of Education and Training. The assessment noted the progress made in digitising the certification process and developing a website for information sharing. However, most applicants still use the manual application system, there is no system for recording and capturing data, while digital literacy remains a gap among staff. Despite these challenges, graduates expressed high satisfaction with the professionalism of TVET instructors, the quality of testing materials and facilities, and improvements made through investments in specific trades.
Therefore, the study recommends continuous improvement of the certification process and the implementation of a competency-based model. It also suggests developing industry-specific certification for emerging fields such as renewable energy (solar PV installation), advanced manufacturing, and ICT. Further recommendations include implementing a centralised digital system for tracking certification progress, reducing reliance on manual records, and providing digital skills training and refresher courses for trade testing officials to enhance their skills.
The findings from the TVET Industry Needs Assessment highlight the critical role of technical education in reducing unemployment, increasing earnings, and boosting entrepreneurship in Eswatini. As the country moves forward with the implementation of the TVET policy and reforms in the sector, industry partnerships, remain a critical area of focus. Therefore, continued collaboration between government, industry, and education providers, is important to building a dynamic and inclusive workforce that meets both national and regional needs.
