CEO’s speech: Memorandum of Understanding between BPSC & ILES

Protocol — Executive Director, Mr Kagiso Kemoeng; BPSC and ILES staff; members of the fourth estate; ladies and gentlemen and esteemed guests, good morning.

Today marks a significant milestone in the ongoing journey of education and training. As we gather to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Public Service College and the Institute for Labour and Employment Studies (ILES), we stand united in our commitment to enhance the quality of education and training by developing and nurturing a workforce that is both skilled and empowered. ILES is a labour college accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority as an Education and Training Provider under the Botswana Qualifications Authority Act No. 24 of 2013.

The institute was founded by the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU). Its mandate includes addressing the gap in workers’ education and training by providing the much-needed soft skills that tertiary institutions do not provide. This partnership symbolises the merging of our efforts to promote not just knowledge, but also the real-world skills essential for navigating the complexities of modern workplaces. Together, we can develop leaders in public service by instilling values of integrity, transparency and commitment to the common good.

As we formalise our collaboration through this memorandum, we are taking a bold step towards bridging the gap between theory and practice. Our combined expertise will provide a holistic learning experience that prepares workers for successful careers and arms them with the insights needed to understand the critical dynamics of the world of work.

Being a labour college, we work closely with the ILO — in fact, we are their service provider with respect to matters around the decent-work programme. Over the past three years or so we have been in discussions with the International Training Centre (ITC) of the ILO in Turin, Italy, on the possibility of collaborating to offer training. We are happy to inform you that the ITC/ILO has acceded to our request to collaborate on face-to-face capacity-building programmes for the Africa region.

Together, we will embark on initiatives that may include joint programmes — developing courses and workshops that encompass both public-service management and labour relations; research initiatives examining the intersection of public policy and labour rights; knowledge-sharing forums such as workshops and seminars on labour-market issues; and community outreach providing training that empowers individuals with knowledge about public services, productivity, work ethic and workers’ rights.

This MOU is not just a piece of paper; it signifies our shared vision for the future and our collective belief that capacity building is a powerful tool for change — a tool that can uplift individuals, strengthen communities and inspire future generations.

I express my profound gratitude to all who have worked tirelessly to bring this partnership to fruition. As we move forward, let us embrace this opportunity to learn from one another, to innovate together, and to create a lasting impact on our society. Thank you.