BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA– A total of 1 897 candidates underwent trade testing under the National Industrial and Vocational Training (NIVT) programme during the 2025/26 financial year as government continues strengthening technical and vocational skills development.
This was revealed by Labour and Social Security Minister Phila Buthelezi while presenting the Ministry’s annual report before the House of Assembly.
According to the minister, 113 candidates were funded through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Project, while 186 candidates received funding support from the Construction Industry Council.
Buthelezi also highlighted progress made in strengthening the country’s human resource development framework through the launch and distribution of the National Human Resources Development Policy 2024–2030.
The policy was developed by the ministry through the National Human Resource Planning and Development Section and has been distributed nationwide to guide human resource development in the country.
He explained that the policy provides a comprehensive framework to guide the review, development and alignment of sector policies while supporting the establishment of effective legislative and regulatory frameworks governing human resource development.
The ministry also recorded progress in career guidance and youth empowerment initiatives. Through the Measurement and Testing Unit, the ministry launched the Eswatini National Career Expo 2025 at Nhlambeni Inkhundla on June 23 2025.
The launch preceded a series of regional career expos aimed at reaching different youth groups, including in-school youth, out-of-school youth and persons with disabilities.
Officials noted that the expo created an important platform for young people to learn about education and career opportunities while receiving guidance on skills required for the labour market.
Meanwhile, the ministry reported that total revenue collections from April to December 2025 amounted to E59 244 322 by the end of the third quarter. This represents a slight decrease of five percent compared to the E62 694 902 collected during the same period in the previous financial year.
The decline was mainly attributed to reduced collections from civil servants repaying government scholarships through the salary deduction system. This was partly influenced by the migration of teachers and other education professionals to employment opportunities outside the country.
However, positive revenue gains were recorded from institutions such as the Eswatini Revenue Service, trade testing services and other miscellaneous fees, including payments made through First National Bank accounts.
For the 2025/26 financial year, the ministry was allocated a total budget of E801 843 141. By the end of the reporting period, E612 057 245 had been released, while E546 310 276 had been spent or committed, resulting in a positive variance of E65 746 969.
The minister noted that the ministry remained within a controlled spending pattern and expects to fully utilise the allocated budget by the end of the financial year.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has requested Parliament to approve its proposed 2026/27 budget allocation of E854 752 000 for recurrent expenditure and E3 500 000 for capital projects to support continued service delivery.
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(Courtesy Pic)
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