Institute for Holistic Learning Based on Montessori Education

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53 Masisi, Rose G. - Botswana - masisir@bota.org.bw
Reducing Unemployment Rates by Producing the Work<strong>for</strong>ce that Industry Wants: The Botswana
Perspective.
1 BACKGROUND
This section will discuss the population characteristics of Botswana in terms of 2001 Census statistics,
geographic distribution, urban mobility, growth rates.
It will further discuss the country’s employment statistics mainly focusing on skilled labour vs unskilled labour
self-employed vs employed latest unemployment rates (graduates roaming the streets)
2 THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING SYSTEM IN BOTSWANA
A brief background of the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) will open this section. The recently re<strong>for</strong>med vocational
training system of Botswana will then be discussed covering its: intentions, and characteristics (components) – eg
structure, quality assurance issues, regulations, guidance and support by BOTA recognition of prior learning, current
competences and work-based learning and assessment.
3 TOWARDS REDUCTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
A discussion of how the vocational training system is seen as a contribution towards the reduction of unemployment
rates will be made here. Focus will be on, among others:
not only skilled, but also quality work<strong>for</strong>ce – there<strong>for</strong>e marketable development of a ‘complete’ person through addition
of generic skills to vocational skills – there<strong>for</strong>e a vocationally self-sufficient person who can confidently venture into
self-employment promotion of the improved system – thus making it attractive enough to competitive favourably with
academic education, and reduced dependency on <strong>for</strong>eign expertise.
4 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Main issues discussed in the sections above will be summarised and recommendations made as necessary.
54 Milanovich, Marlis - Austria - office@jaw.at , pr@jaw.at
"Qualification means future“ – Experiences of Jugend am Werk in the Field of Vocational Training <strong>for</strong>
Young People
Regular, meaningful work and employment are crucial <strong>for</strong> every individual’s sense of self-worth. There<strong>for</strong>e, a high
quality vocational education and training is a precondition <strong>for</strong> the social inclusion and future career development of
young people.
For more than fifty years, the organization Jugend am Werk (JaW) provides high quality vocational training programs
<strong>for</strong> young men and women who have been unable to find an apprenticeship on the open job market. <strong>Based</strong> on the
experiences of Jugend am Werk the presentation will give an overview over recent developments and challenges in the
field of vocational training <strong>for</strong> young people in Vienna. Three main results will be outlined:
Besides classical schemes of apprenticeship training, there will be a great demand of flexible models that facilitate
co-operation between the companies and interplant educational institutions like JaW.
There is a strong need <strong>for</strong> additional schemes <strong>for</strong> disadvantaged young people that focus on practical training and
work experience.
It is of great importance that every vocational training course enables its participants to finish their job training.
The association Jugend am Werk (JaW) is a charitable organization whose main areas of work are on the one hand
high quality apprentice training and on the other hand accompanying people with mental or multiple disabilities.
According to its basic philosophy, JaW provides a wide range of high quality services in both areas, to empower