Abstract:

The present day society witnessed many changes in educational/training systems to produce quality work force demanded by different sectors of economy. This has become imminent to live up to changing conditions in the job market. The education system has to provide a variety of such life skills which are essential to earn livelihood. Since the conventional academic programmes are basically aimed at theorizing the knowledge, Vocational training came into existence to impart practical skills. The demand for these skills has been increasing as these courses assist people as tailor made knowledge for immediate job opportunities in the market and most of them also turned into self-employment programmes.
In Botswana as the economy is not diversified and depends heavily on mining sector, employment opportunities to all graduates from Higher Education (highly qualified people) are becoming limited. Hence self employment avenues have to be planned especially through development of Vocational Training both for workforce and school leavers. These skills will have a positive impact on professional development of individuals and contribute to economic development of the country. Further, the Government of Botswana envisaged in its development plans (NDP9 and 10) the need for the development of vocational education in the country.
In the context of the importance of Vocational Training for the individual and to the national economy at large, the paper analyses the following.

• Significance of Vocational skills
• Vocational skills and economic development.
• Existing Vocational programmes in Botswana.
• Impact of Vocational skills on Economy
• Growing demand for vocational skills in Botswana
• Suggestions to increase Vocational programmes-A strategy

The paper while analyzing the above also attempts to review the ongoing vocational programmes and understanding the impact of Vocational skills on the economy and finally suggests the need for a suitable strategy to meet the growing demand for these skills. The strategy takes care of both refresher skills and new skills and provides more training avenues and thereby creating increasing access to vocational skills.

Keywords:

Vocational