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14 Feature : VDMA

training. Advertising for enrollment is mostly
done through local newspapers. The full time
Mechatronics, Artisan level 5 training will
take 3 years. An aptitude Test will be done to
screen the best candidates coming from BGCSE
and from local engineering companies. The
Hydraulics and PLC courses will run for four to
six weeks, enrollment is done continuously after
each group completes. These programmes are
similar to the German Dual Training system.
The VDMA is taking active steps to ensure
that a modern and sustainable vocational
programme is established locally.

The involvement of local partners and German
companies active in Africa is essential for
making these programmes relevant with
a high degree of practical and hands on
learning, and for ensuring good opportunities L-R Mrs Ramokoka, Dr Festge(former President of the VDMA who initiated
for those entering the workforce or returning The skills for Africa Project), President, President’s wife & Minister of
to it. Entrepreneurship is not included in the (MELSD) Honourable Minister Tshenelo Mabeo
short courses as they are outcome based and
have a very high level of practicality. Though
entrepreneurship focuses on general business
understanding and problem-solving skills, it
is however covered within other vocational
programmes offered in Botswana.

Recently German parliamentarians were
in Botswana. The delegation was from the
Committee of Industry and Energy, they
wanted to see what the German mechanical
engineering industry through VDMA is doing in
Botswana. This followed the visit of the Federal
President of Germany, who’s visit to Botswana
was supported a lot by VDMA.

VDMA also enabled and supported the
participation of three Batswana (Mechatronics
students at BIUST) in the Makeathon on Gran
Canaria. The event was attended by 300
students from 18 different countries to work
out solutions in smart technology. The three Local Trainees at CITF demonstrating to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
Batswana were the first Africans taking part in Minister Mabeo and Mr. Tsie (Acting Director CITF)
the makeathon.
the PLC equipment sponsored by BOSCH REXROTH

The VDMA supports its members in all their
requests all over the world. In terms of the VDMA has collaborated with training
high rate of export, it means to strengthen
their foreign trade by offering skills of workers centres in Botswana, Kenya and Nigeria
at their customer companies. This gives mutual
benefit for foreign countries- industry and the and shares it’s real experience of the
German industry.
knowledge and needs of the industry to

develop skilled craftsmen

Issue 21 Apr/May - 2019 www.engineermagazine.co.bw