The Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) says it wants to take Botswana’s human resource competency to a globally competitive stage by 2026 through using ICT as a means of proving service delivery.
In an interview with HRDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Raphael Dingalo, he said he intended to use a robust ICT system to capacitate the human resource development plans and improve efficiency.
“We should have a clear understanding that what we are producing in tertiary institutions and the numbers of graduates are a link that the employers want,” he said.
Dr Dingalo stated that his internal business processes included strategic harnessing of technology to use it to advance their business model, as well as developing and implementing a customer service platform to serve the HRDC in every aspect.
“I believe in regional integration and am happy that SADC has come up with regional integration strategy as it is in our interest as HRDC that we really follow that up for human capital development,” he stated.
He pointed out that they had earmarked three sectors – tourism, agriculture and mining – which are also a priority to the country’s development landscape. Dr Dingalo said the strategy is a new approach in human resource development in the country.
“Our internal business processes on planning on the supply side is focusing on improving participation and throughput rates and institutional differentiation,” he said.
He is of the view that the country’s tertiary landscape should be able to support the SADC regional integration strategy adding that government came up with reforms such as HRDC and Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA) so that the country’s qualifications are internationally recognised .
“We provide for policy advice on all matters of national human resource development as well as co-ordinating and promoting the implementation of the national human resource development strategy,” said Dr Dingalo.
He spoke of his priorities such as preparing the national human resource development plan and also planning and advising on tertiary education financing and work-place learning.
The CEO said other focus areas are making HRDC a local, regional and international centre of excellence and also being stronger on focused research and innovation. He said the organisation intends to provide accurate forecasting and also predictive analysis capability for human capital requirements.
“Employees who receive compassion in their workplaces see themselves; their co-workers and their organisation in a more positive light and feel content, resulting in more commitment to their jobs,” said Dr Dingalo.
He spoke of human resource development planning on the demand side that encompasses implementation of the National Human Resource Development Sectors (NHRDS) through sector-focused planning and execution as well as establishment of skills demand forecasting.
“We will be working closely with the World Bank. On our human capital we are focusing on training and development and continuous improvement as well as equitable and quality tertiary education,” said Dr Dingalo.
