Skills report could be a ‘game changer’ for unemployment

The Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) National Labour Market Skills Project (NLMSP) report, which was recently published by the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC), could be a game changer in addressing youth unemployment in the country, University World News has been told.

Eswatini’s youth unemployment rate stands at 56%, compared to the national average of 35.4%.

The report, called Shaping Tomorrow’s Skills Today, identifies critical mismatches between the skills offered by the country’s higher education institutions and those required by the labour market.

“This gap leads to a shortage of graduates with qualifications that align with industry needs, contributing to high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth,” said Dr Ncamsile Motsa, the research, monitoring and publications manager for ESHEC.

Collaboration

The skills project was a collaborative project involving ESHEC and two other key partners, the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC), and the Taiwan Technical Mission, or ICDF. According to Motsa, ESEPARC took the lead in conducting studies for the NLMSP report and performed in-depth analyses of the labour market, industry needs, and skills gaps. She said that, in addition to providing financial support, ESEPARC played a crucial role in aligning the project’s objectives with national development goals.

The idea of conducting the skills research was presented and approved by the Eswatini government through the ministry of education and training, Motsa said. “Additionally, the ministry of labour and social security contributed during the conceptualisation phase of the study.” The findings of the report will inform the Eswatini Ministry of Labour’s National Skills Development Master Plan Project.

The research found gaps in several key industries in Eswatini’s economy. In the agricultural and agro-processing sector, it was found, that despite 90% of the workforce having bachelor degrees, 85% lack essential skills such as communication and industry-specific expertise. This mismatch contributes to a graduate unemployment rate of 40%.

The mining sector, the report notes, has a high demand for technical and vocational skills but employers struggle to find suitably skilled professionals. “The manufacturing sector, contributing around 37% of GDP, also faces challenges related to skills shortages and mismatches, particularly in technical and industry-specific areas,” Motsa said.

The report found that graduates work in roles unrelated to their studies in the wholesale and retail sector. It also found that the professional, scientific, and technical activities sector relies heavily on imported expertise.

Nuanced understanding

According to Motsa, the report identifies and provides a nuanced understanding of disparities in the supply, demand, and absorption of skills in various sectors of Eswatini’s economy. These insights are expected to help tackle youth unemployment by providing actionable intelligence on current and future skills needs, which could help align higher education outputs with labour market demands.

By identifying skills gaps and promoting relevant training programs, the report aims to increase the employability of graduates. “Additionally, policy recommendations included in the report aim to bridge identified skills gaps, supporting youth to gain the relevant competencies needed for employment,” Motsa added.

University World News approached lecturers at the University of Eswatini and student organisations to comment, but they have not given feedback.