The Technical and Vocational Skills Certification Enhancement Project has continued funding for workshops in the development vocational qualifications that are aligned with the Eswatini qualification’s framework. In this year, three qualifications are set to be developed for Instrumentation, Mechanical fitting and Auto electricals. The development of Instrumentation and Mechanical fitting is already in progress and the first workshops for the development of NQF Level 2 qualifications were held this month at Emafini Country Lodge.

The project has in previous years developed and registered qualifications in:

1. Welding, Boilermaking and Fabrication
2. Motor Vehicle Mechanic
3. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning aka Refrigeration
4. Electrician
5. Hospitality and Tourism (Front Office, Accommodation, Housekeeping and Food Preparation).

The HVAC qualification has been developed in partnership with Eswatini Environmental Authority. The qualifications developed are from NQF level 2 through to level 4. They are registered with Eswatini Qualifications Authority.

In the current financial year, the project intends to procure equipment for Mechanical Fitting at Eswatini College of Technology and also auto electrical equipment for Gwamile VOCTIM. The equipment will be procured later this year and installation will be done around November/December 2024. Annually, the project procures equipment based on the new qualifications developed. The welding workshop at Gwamile VOCTIM, hospitality and tourism kitchen at Eswatini College of Technology and the DIVT electrical workshop are testament to this project policy of upgrading workshops based on the new qualifications. The project also conducts benchmarking visits to South Africa yearly to expose its beneficiaries to well equipped workshops in South Africa.

The industry is actively involved in the development of qualifications and the workshops provide a good opportunity for local TVET institutions to mingle with the industry to ensure that their trainings meet the industry demands and expectations. In the mechanical fitting workshop, the experts are Mxolisi Shongwe (Montigny), Mthobisi Dlamini (RES Corporation), Shaka Dlamini (Ubombo Sugar), Mandla Lokoftwako (Former ECOT lecturer) and lecturers from ECOTs and Gwamile VOCTIM. For the instrumentation workshop, the experts are Malangei Dlamini (Tambanulu Estate), Sicelo Phakathi (Gilbarco AFS), Menzi Mthethwa (Eswatini Premier Bakery), Phumlani Hlanze (Eswatini Water Services Corporation) and the lecturers from ECOT and Gwamile VOCTIM.