Berea, 21 April — Directors and Senior Management from the Roads Directorate (RD) across the country attended a key stakeholders’ workshop on Tuesday in Teya-teyaneng, Berea, focusing on the review and development of the RD Research and Industry Development (RID) Centre curriculum for contractors and supervisors.
The workshop held at the RD Research and Industry Development Center, brought together consultants from Ghana and Lesotho to strengthen training systems within the road sector.
Speaking during the opening session, Director General Mr Teboho Mokhoane said the initiative is aimed at equipping contractors and staff with the necessary skills to improve the quality of road construction in Lesotho.
Senior consultant Mr. Shege Kenuthia presented an overview of challenges facing Lesotho’s roads sector, highlighting skills gaps and the limited use of structured competency frameworks, alongside a Training Needs Assessment (TNA).
He noted that the assessment is intended to identify performance and skills gaps while aligning training manuals and curriculum with the strategic goals of the RD and broader sector needs.
He said the findings were based on data collected through surveys, which received 142 responses, as well as observations, interviews, and document reviews.
Mr Kenuthia added that many contractors’ site supervisors rely heavily on experience rather than structured competence frameworks.
Meanwhile, Mr Kyaw Htwe Myaing introduced new training systems, stressing that capacity building alone is insufficient without comprehensive capacity development and clearly defined frameworks.
He explained that assessments can be conducted at individual, organisational, and institutional levels through methods such as training, monitoring, coaching, workshops, peer learning, seminars, and conferences.
Mr Myaing added that training for trainers should focus on job performance and incorporate occupational standards, taking into account participants’ existing knowledge, skills, and attitudes prior to training.
He further emphasised the need to align organisational training with institutional mission, vision, and values. He also noted that training programs should include post-training evaluations to assess improvements in knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
The initiative forms part of the Roads Directorate’s mandate to strengthen the capacity of contractors in delivering quality roads, bridges, and broader infrastructure development. A series of follow-up workshops is also planned, targeting engineers, technicians, contractors, and other key external stakeholders to further enhance skills and coordination across the sector.
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