Vocational training, in-service courses and higher education for graduates in Botswana

In this paper we provide a theoretical perspective of higher education and employment, of programmes offered in institutions of higher learning and of the relationship between higher education and participation in the labour force. We also discuss the role of vocational training following graduation and then go on to examine the opportunities available for graduates in Botswana with regard to vocational training, in-service courses and higher education. On the basis of empirical evidence we observe that the selection of graduates for postgraduate training is based on academic achievement at undergraduate level, and that the opportunity for further study is dependent upon the number of years spent in employment. We also observe that those graduates who went for further training were in jobs that were nearly commensurate with their fields of specialisation at undergraduate level. In view of the large variety of training needs for the work-place, it is apparent that the University of Botswana is not capable of offering courses that would satisfy the demand for every type of skill needed in the job market and therefore it is suggested that the university should aim at providing students with general and transferable knowledge that could be harnessed by employers through the provision of vocational or on-the-job training, in-service courses or higher education.