Challenges for vocational education and training in Swaziland

The theme for this conference was 'effective vocational education and training for Southern and Central Africa in line with international standards, to take us into the next millennium'. The author begins by identifying and explaining the problems in the delivery of vocational education and training (VET) in the now globalised economy in the socio-economic, political and cultural contexts. He notes the lack of participation of business and industry and the resulting lack of appropriate skills being taught. This causes problems in the transition from school to work, resulting in high youth unemployment. There is a considerable mismatch of competencies and qualifications with delays in the responsiveness to changes in curriculum. Mndebele then describes VET initiatives in Swaziland - in schools, in out-of-school skill centres and in company-based training. He raises ten issues which comprise the main challenge for the country to deliver relevant, high quality VET so that the school leavers, in particular, can plan for the changes ahead and be equipped to join the workforce.

The volume of collected papers is indexed at TD/IRD 88.46. Show less