Rundu
The Rundu Vocational Training Centre (RVTC) will introduce two new technical trades, namely welding and metal fabrication, as well as boiler making. The two technical trades are currently in high demand, like many of the other trades offered at the technical institution.
RVTC liaison officer Milton Mwiya told New Era on Thursday that the introduction of new trades have been made possible by the recent infrastructure development at the centre. Construction started on March 18, 2014 and was supposed to be finished by March 18, 2015 but due to unforeseen delays was only completed early in June.
“We’ve expanded our infrastructure to cater for more trades. The centre – with government funds through the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) – built new workshops, a new big kitchen to cater for our growing student population, a multi-purpose hall and new roads at the centre at the cost of N$35,9 million,” Mwiya stated.
Currently, the RVTC has seven fields of study, namely Auto Electric, Auto Mechanic, Bricklaying and Plastering, Electrical General, Joinery and Cabinet Making, Office Administration, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting. The new trades of welding, metal fabrication and boiler making will now be added to the list as from the 2016 academic year and it is expected that this will help increase the intake capacity at the centre.
“As a demand-driven institution our aim is to produce good results and thus we need to grow while in demand. We receive 3 000 to 4 000 applicants every year and due to the lack of facilities, we can’t take more trainees. We can only take a maximum of 25 trainees per trade, although we are constantly requested by our stakeholders (parents, government and industries) to increase our intake capacity,” Mwiya said.
Mwiya further said the centre still faces a number of challenges. “With the master plan already done, RVTC is hereby seeking sponsorship to build more infrastructure in order to add more trades or courses. It’s through technical education that Namibia can realize Vision 2030. We want the leaders to pay attention to the work of the centre in bringing technical education up to a standard where the country can rely on itself,” he further stated.