The minister of higher education, Prince Maele has advised that just like other Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programs, culinary arts continue to remain relevant within the fluctuating global job market space.
Touring Boswa Culinary Institute of Botswana, Maele implored students to consider international employment opportunities upon scholarship completion.
Maele stated that sooner or later, most careers across the globe will be taken over and replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) noting that culinary arts however, have the potential to withstand the shift.
By venturing into global market spaces such as United Kingdom and United States where they usually go for their 3rd year internships, Maele alluded that the graduates will aid in reducing pressure and competition for existing, limited local jobs, particularly with other institutions’ graduates.
He stated that, since Boswa students are given a chance to explore international markets during their internship period, venturing into global markets would be a cup of cake for them. Maele further advised them to also consider establishing their own businesses upon their scholarship completion, as this will help create more jobs for locals.
Meanwhile, one of the students, Mooketsi James says one of the challenges they have identified is that in Botswana there is no basic food culture, adding they are forced to acquire basic and international culinary skills overseas to later infuse them into the traditional cuisine.
He stated that most pristine camps either promote scullery workers with limited home cooking skills into chefs or import professional chefs from international markets, whilst graduates holding qualifications and international standards skills remain unemployed.
For her part, founder of the Institution, Chef Rebecca Pheko stated that one of the challenges they face include offering limited qualifications for an internationally valued profession.
“Our institution only offers Botswana Qualifications Authority accredited certificates and diploma in culinary arts, we currently don’t have degree programs, but we are on a process of developing one,” she explained.
Chef Pheko stressed that another issue that concerns them is the cut- off points which is currently at 36 points. She mentioned that unlike public institutions, private schools are required to enroll only students who obtain 36 points+, adding this limit the quantity of their intakes.
She added that the culinary arts as compared to other disciplines and professions, are underrated in Botswana, adding most parents do not want to enroll their children in such programs. Pheko indicated that most of their graduates have been absorbed by local safari delta prestigious camps, such as Xigera Safari Lodge.
In conclusion, Minister Maele assured both the students and the school management endless support to improve the culinary industry. He challenged the school management to incorporate the degree qualification sooner, so that they benefit from the tertiary funding initiative.
