Human Resource Development Council HRDC

Overview

The Human Resource Development Council of Botswana (HRDC) is the statutory national agency responsible for planning, funding and coordinating human resource development across tertiary education, workplace training and skills development in Botswana. Operating under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development but with operational autonomy as a parastatal, HRDC serves as a strategic platform for public, private and civil society stakeholders. It advises government on tertiary financing and labour alignment, commissions national data reporting on higher education and distributes research and innovation grants to universities and colleges.

History and Legal Framework

HRDC was formally constituted by the Human Resource Development Council Act No. 17 of 2013, which came into force on 8 November 2013. This Act merged the former Tertiary Education Council and Botswana Training Authority functions, as recommended by the National Human Resource Development Strategy (NHRDS) approved in January 2009. With this legal foundation, HRDC gained authority to plan and fund tertiary institutions, regulate workplace learning levy funds and oversee national human resource planning.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

HRDC’s mission is to:

“Drive the development of Botswana’s human resource to achieve a knowledge‑based economy through the provision of policy advice, planning, funding and coordination and effective collaboration.”

Its vision aims to transform Botswana into a globally competitive human resource hub by 2036.

Key objectives include:

• Providing policy advice on all facets of national human resource development;
• Co‑ordinating implementation of the NHRDS and producing national HRD plans;
• Planning and advising on financing for public and private tertiary education institutions;
• Promoting workplace learning through internships, apprenticeships and employer reimbursements;
• Leading labour market research and skills forecasting via sectoral HRD committees;
• Supporting institutional planning and capacity development within tertiary institutions;
• Funding research, innovation and partnerships aligned with Botswana’s economic priorities.

In higher education, HRDC ensures that university degree programmes and research output meet labour market needs by aligning curricula, funding research grants and coordinating partnerships with industry.

Governance, Structure and Independence

HRDC is a semi‑autonomous state‑owned enterprise under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. Its governance is led by a ministerially appointed Board, with authority defined in the HRDC Act. To support its governance mandate, the Board is organised into multiple committees, including:

• Finance & Audit Committee
• Funding Committee
• Human Resources Committee
• Procurement Committee
• Human Resource Development Planning Sector Committee

The agency’s operational framework comprises departments responsible for:

• Research, Statistics & Innovation (producer of annual tertiary education reports);
• Demand and Supply sides of HRD Planning;
• Funding Management;
• Human Resources;
• The CEO’s Strategy Office and Board Secretary;
• Quality Management Systems, ICT and Risk & Compliance.

HRDC adheres to corporate governance principles emphasising transparency, accountability, professionalism and ethical integrity while operating with functional independence from the sponsoring ministry.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

Although the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) holds the statutory mandate for registration and accreditation of tertiary providers, HRDC supports the broader quality assurance ecosystem. It publishes lists of registered and accredited education and training providers, including non‑credit bearing short courses. HRDC’s research and planning teams facilitate the programme accreditation process—based on institutional self‑evaluation, accreditation site visits and decision-making—by providing detailed data on capacity and performance.

Furthermore, HRDC aligns institutional funding models with quality outcomes and assists institutions in aligning their internal planning and governance with BQA accreditation criteria and institutional audit requirements.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

HRDC is an active member of the UNESCO‑UNEVOC Network, contributing to global discourse on technical and vocational education standards. It appears in international directories such as CHEA’s list of recognised higher education organisations. HRDC regularly engages with regional bodies, including hosting delegations from the Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies (AAHEFA) and actively participates in continental events such as the Employee Africa Summit, where its leadership presents on workforce innovation and education reform.

These collaborations enable Botswana to benchmark and align its tertiary education systems with continental best practices in planning, financing and skills development.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

HRDC’s annual Tertiary Education Statistics Report—most recently for 2023—offers comprehensive data on enrolment, graduate employability, research output and institutional capacity. This evidence-base supports policy-making and institutional planning.

Through strategic funding of research and innovation within tertiary institutions, HRDC helps build capacity in areas critical for economic diversification. It is promoting a shift to performance-based funding models that reward institutions for research, graduate employment outcomes and industry partnerships.

HRDC’s continued emphasis on data-informed institutional planning, demand-driven programme approval and sector-based skills development positions higher education to play a critical role in accelerating Botswana’s transition to a knowledge economy.

Summary

The Human Resource Development Council of Botswana is the principal authority shaping Botswana’s human capital strategy across tertiary education and workplace learning. Established by the HRDC Act 2013, it merges policy advisory, funding, research and planning under a semi-autonomous structure. With a clear vision to make Botswana a global human resource hub by 2036, HRDC works to align graduate output with labour needs, incentivise research and institutional excellence and guide the evolution of the higher education sector.

FAQs

1. What is the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) of Botswana?

   HRDC is Botswana’s national agency that plans, funds and coordinates tertiary education, workplace learning and skills forecasting to support national human resource development.

2. When was HRDC established?

   It was legally formed under the Human Resource Development Council Act No. 17 of 2013, effective from 8 November 2013, consolidating earlier education and training authorities.

3. What are the main functions of HRDC?

   Its functions include policy advice on human resource development; implementing the NHRDS; managing education‑related funding; supporting internships and apprenticeships; advising on tertiary financing; and managing research grants aligned with national priorities.

4. Does HRDC accredit universities?

   No. The Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) handles accreditation. HRDC complements this role through data provision, institutional planning support and listing recognised providers and non‑credit programmes.

5. How does HRDC impact higher education institutions?

   By funding research and innovation, influencing curriculum alignment with labour demand, supporting institutional planning and encouraging university‑industry partnerships and graduate employability.

6. What is the National Human Resource Development Strategy (NHRDS)?

   The NHRDS is Botswana’s overarching strategy (approved in 2009) aimed at strengthening skills across tertiary education, workplace training and lifelong learning; HRDC is responsible for coordinating and monitoring its implementation.

7. Is HRDC independent of the government?

   While HRDC reports to the Ministry of Education and aligns with national policy objectives, it is accredited as a state‑owned enterprise with its own governing Board and operational independence in terms of funding, planning and execution.

8. How many universities are there in Botswana?

   According to uniRank research, Botswana currently has 15 officially recognised higher‑education institutions—both public and private—that offer undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

Organization Name

Human Resource Development Council

Acronym

HRDC

Year of Establishment

8/11/2013

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Plot 60113, Block 7, Ext ; Private Bag BR 108
Gaborone
Gaborone Botswana

Phone

+267 393 0741

Fax

+267 393 0740

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Human Resource Development Council's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

Human Resource Development Council's X page

LinkedIn

Human Resource Development Council's LinkedIn profile

YouTube

Human Resource Development Council's YouTube channel

Instagram

Human Resource Development Council's Instagram page

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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