Northern BHRD Skills Fair & Career Clinics held for the first time

*Ndibo completed his Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) in 2016 and like many of his fellow graduates, he was preparing to travel more than 800km to attend the Botswana Human Resource Development Skills (BHRDS) Fair and Career Clinics in Gaborone.

He had heard from his elder sibling how the annual event proved to be useful in providing career related information. This event aids prospective tertiary students to decide on the programmes of study they want to pursue and the simple fact that majority of Tertiary Education Providers (TEP’s) will be available under one roof was a cherry on top.

For the first time since the first Botswana Human Resource Development Skills Fair and Career Clinics in 2010, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), staged the very first Northern Botswana Human Resource Development Skills (BHRDS) Fair & Career Clinics in the City of Francistown.

The binary events were held from 27th February - 2nd March 2017 at Business Botswana Grounds in Gerald Estates, Francistown. They were graced by several dignitaries ranging from the Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoTE), Her Worship The Mayor of the City of Francistown, Town Clerk, Business Community and other critical stakeholders.

Giving the welcome remarks at the official opening ceremony held on Monday, 27th February 2017, Her Worship Mrs Sylvia Muzila, the Mayor of the City of Francistown said, “The Career Guidance Clinics and the Fair organised by the HRDC is a noble event and the only one of its kind in the Northern and the entire SADC Region. I am reliably informed that it is the only one in Africa and amongst many avenues that HRDC is employing to reach out to the prospective learners. I want to applaud them for their efforts.”

“We want to improve service delivery and cater for all individuals across the country by reaching learners as far as Shakawe and Kaudwane.” said Dr Raphael Dingalo, the Chief Executive Officer of HRDC during his remarks.

Botswana Northern Human Resource Development   Skills Fair and Career Clinics Fair is a ‘One Stop Shop’ that brings together different stakeholders namely:  Education and Training Providers, professional Bodies, Academics, career guidance practitioners, prospective tertiary learners, parents and captains of industry.

When giving the official opening address, Honourable Fidelis Molao, Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoTE) encouraged learners to introspect, reflect and consult with their parents, career influencers and interact with experts to get meaningful advice in their envisaged programmes of study.

He further said, “It is only after you have had such information that you can informatively choose your programme of study. It is the Government’s stated intention that, in our quest to improving services delivery, access and equity for Batswana, every effort will be made to reach them regardless of where they reside”.