359 EMASWATI RECEIVE TRADE TEST CERTIFICATES AS EU SUPPORTS SKILLS RECOGNITION
The ceremony, held on 5 October 2026 at Sebenta National Institute, recognised individuals who demonstrated their competence through trade testing, whether through formal vocational training or skills acquired through hands-on experience.
The certification process is supported by the European Union-funded Skills for Youth (S4Y) programme, which works with the Directorate for Industrial and Vocational Training (DIVT) to strengthen trade testing and certification in support of Eswatini’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system.
Speaking at the ceremony, European Union Ambassador to Eswatini, H.E. Karsten Mecklenburg, said the certificates provide more than recognition, offering graduates formal, institutional validation of the skills they have developed.
“Your skills are the engine that will drive Eswatini’s economic growth, self-reliance and innovation,” Ambassador Mecklenburg told the graduates.
He highlighted the importance of closing the gap between the skills people possess and the formal recognition needed to demonstrate their competence to employers and customers. DIVT trade test certificates help build confidence by providing evidence that individuals have been assessed against recognised standards.
Euopean Union 2026
The recipients represent different pathways into the world of work. While some developed their skills through practical experience, others acquired them through formal vocational training. The certification process recognises competence across these different learning journeys, helping skilled workers strengthen their position in the labour market.
For the graduates, the certificates represent an opportunity to put their skills to work, earn a living and build confidence among potential employers and customers. Recipients expressed gratitude for having their abilities formally recognised, noting that certification could help them access employment and demonstrate that they have the skills required to deliver quality work.
The Minister for Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, underscored the significance of the occasion, noting that it was the first time trade test graduates had been formally celebrated through an award ceremony and that Eswatini needs to have a National grade testing centre. The Minister also thanked the European Union for its support in making the event possible.
European Union 2026
Through the S4Y programme, the European Union is supporting DIVT to strengthen its capacity to conduct trade tests, expand access to certification and respond to demand for recognised technical skills. Industry experts have participated in the assessment process, helping ensure that certification reflects workplace requirements and labour market needs.
The partnership will also explore opportunities to extend trade testing to additional occupations, including industrial machine operators in the textile sector, broadening access to certification for workers across the economy.
By investing in skills recognition and vocational certification, the European Union and its partners are contributing to improved employment opportunities, a stronger TVET system and Eswatini’s wider economic transformation.
European Union 2026
For the 359 certificate recipients, this milestone provides formal recognition of their abilities and a foundation on which to build livelihoods, pursue new opportunities and contribute to the country’s development.