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The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the vocational training needs of rural youth in Botswana. The objectives were to: (1) describe the demographic characteristics of the out-of-school rural youth in the age group of 10-18 years; (2) identify the out-of-school youth vocational training needs; and (3) describe the problems the out-of-school youth face in rural areas. A cluster sampling method was used and data were collected with the use of an interview schedule. The findings showed that the majority of the respondents were in the age group of 16-18 years, 55 per cent female, 63 per cent single, 52 per cent had only primary education, and 60 per cent were unemployed. The majority of the youth (51 per cent) chose careers in farm trades, and a plurality (16 per cent) chose to pursue careers in building and construction trades. Other career options were not popular among the youth for training. The youth identified the lack of educational facilities, employment security, recreational facilities, health education, decision-making opportunities and access to land as major problems affecting them in rural areas. It was recommended that government and non-governmental organisations: (1) provide vocational training in farm trades; (2) establish youth clubs; and (3) provide leadership, financial and logistical support for the youth to develop and manage self-sustaining enterprises that can create employment in the rural areas.