By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Owen Nxumalo, the Minister of Education and Training has called for the quick transformation and development of the country as per the King’s Sibaya command.

The Education Minister shared these sentiments on Thursday at the Royal Villas Ezulwini when launching the National Skills Anticipation Report (NSAR), a project facilitated by the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC).

With a median age of 22.2 years and forty-percent(40%) of its population under fifteen(15) years old the Kingdom of Eswatini boasts one of the  youngest demographics globally.  

This youthful populace represents a significant opportunity to harness a demographic dividend by cultivating a workforce, entrepreneurs, industrialists, and business leaders with skills aligned to modern industry needs. 

But, many young emaSwati currently lack the skills and competencies required by today\'s technology driven economy.Recognizing the pivotal role of human capital in driving economic growth and innovation, the government and its social partners continues to invest considerable resources to enhance education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities nationwide.

The NSAR was produced by the ESHEC in collaboration with the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre(ESEPARC) and the Taiwan Technical Mission and, comes subsequent to the 2021 National Skills Audit.

It presents a forward-looking approach to aligning education with labour market while providing detailed skill demand projections, identifies shortages, and offers a clear plan to align workforce development with economic needs.

“The NSAR offers a thorough analysis of Eswatini’s labour market and industry trends and the evolving demand for skills for the future across key sectors. It resonates with the views expressed by the nation during Sibaya, and also the clarion call by His Majesty King Mswati III for quick transformative actions under the NKWE mandate. The Report aligns with the National Development Plan and the Government’s Strategic Roadmap as it provides invaluable insights for policymakers, educators, employers, entrepreneurs and workers as Eswatini gears itself for future economic and societal advancements,”said the Education and Training Minister.

On another note, Principal Secretary Antony Masilela who was representing the Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi, commended the Ministry of Education for its commitment to addressing the critical skills gap.

“Every unemployed young person represents a lost opportunity, not just for them, but for our nation. With insights from the NSAR, it is crucial that educational institutions align their curricula with the needs of the labour market. We must work together with employers to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also equipped with practical skills for success,” he said.

Phiwayinkhosi Ginindza, the ESHEC Board Chairperson applauded ESEPARC and the Taiwan Technical Mission for the partnership.

“The Report guides ESHEC in accrediting institutions to match industry needs. Next, we’ll introduce micro-credentials to boost employability,” said the ESHEC Board Chairperson.