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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE Government has said the country needs to conduct a National Skills Survey (NSS) to identify any skills shortage and inform policy making and implementation activities. Presenting the Mid–term policy review statement in parliament last week, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa said the skills audit was long overdue as the last one was conducted 34 years ago.

The Minister said a skills audit will help in the country’s industrialisation and modernisation efforts. “A major aspect of this strategy that Treasury is considering supporting is the long overdue National Skills Survey, given that the last survey was done way back in 1982.

“Auditing the country’s skills complement will assist us in identifying skills gaps, that way informing our STEM development and training plans. This is all in support of the country’s industrialisation and modernisation thrust, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said.

Minister Chinamasa said the country’s shift to the new education curriculum will also serve as an opportunity to address the issue of skills. “Review of the national curricula for primary and secondary levels, however, benefited from the disbursement of US$10,6 million under the Education Development Fund administered by Unicef. The review offers the opportunity to address skills shortages in science and technology, mathematics and ICTs,” said Minister Chinamasa.

He said the Government was in the process of formulating a STEM policy strategy targeting a 10 year period ending in year 2026. The Minister said initiatives to develop human capital create scope for technology partnerships, and linkages between institutions of higher learning and industry. — @nqotshili.