Bridging the skills gap to tackle youth unemployment

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – In a bold move to address youth unemployment and skills mismatches, the Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment, supported by the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) project, convened a stakeholders’ meeting to finalize plans for implementing the Dual Learning Model (DLM) in Lesotho.

This innovative approach blends classroom education with hands-on workplace training, aiming to equip graduates with industry-relevant skills and boost employability.

The DLM builds on a 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government, employers, and academia, formalizing collaboration to deliver training across schools and workplaces.

Key objectives include reducing the skills gap by aligning curricula with labor market demands, particularly in sectors like tourism and manufacturing, increasing TVET enrollment by 20 percent and introducing five short-term training programmes under the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II) as well as strengthening human capital — a priority in NSDP II — to spur inclusive economic growth and reduce reliance on sectors like textiles.

Lesei Lesei of the Lesotho Chamber of Commerce emphasized the need for resource planning, particularly human capital, pointing out that “the focus must respond to the country’s needs, not just the private sector’s.”

He highlighted gaps in sectors critical to economic diversification, urging targeted investments.

CAFI Managing Director, Chaba Mokuku, echoed this, noting that economic diversification hinges on skills development. He revealed that between 2017 and 2023, the African Development Bank funded the Economic Diversification Support Programme to reduce reliance on textiles.

The DLM, he argued, is key to addressing systemic skills deficits: “Youth unemployment stems from a mismatch – we must close this gap.”

The model’s three components of apprenticeships, internships, and job attachments will be piloted in select institutions before a nationwide rollout. Employers are urged to mentor trainees, while ministries will refine curricula based on industry trends.

Minister of Labour, Tšeliso Mokhosi, stressed the DLM’s role in institutional coordination. He pointed out that “graduates will register for apprenticeships to ensure job placement.” The initiative aligns with Lesotho’s Vision 2024 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on decent work and economic growth.

While the DLM promises transformative impact, stakeholders acknowledge hurdles like limited school-private sector partnerships and funding constraints.

CAFI has allocated M47 million for 10 training programmes and aims to support 15 commercial farms by 2028, signaling long-term commitment.

As Mokhosi concluded “this isn’t a one-off project. It’s a sustained collaboration to build a skilled, competitive workforce.”

With youth unemployment at crisis levels, the DLM offers hope – but its success hinges on unified action from all sectors.