Windhoek
Of the employees in the Namibian agriculture sector, 52.1 percent have no education, 27 percent only have primary education, more than 70 percent have no education or training in relation to the work in which they are employed and only five percent have university qualifications.
In comparison, a recent study found that 29 percent of domestic workers in Namibia have no formal education. Presenting these statistics at last week’s 20th National Rangeland Forum at a lodge outside Windhoek the agricultural advisor of the Namibia Training Authority NTA), Yvonne Doerfler, said the National Human Resources Plan (2010 to 2025) indicates that labour supply for skilled agricultural and fisheries workers currently stands at 0.07 percent and is required to rise to 12 percent to meet the labour demand for the sector by 2025.
“In 2011, the NTA embarked on the development of vocational education and training for the agriculture sector. To date six vocational qualifications for the sub-sectors of crops, horticulture, livestock and farm machinery and infrastructure are registered on the national qualifications framework.
“The work depended heavily on engagement of the livestock and crop production industry in order to develop qualifications, which are relevant to Namibian farming systems, the economic and the employment situation in the country,” she stated.
She said vocational education in Namibia follows competency-based education and training principles and will allow Grade 10 school leaners to have access to further education and training opportunities. The training includes skills development in environmental, rangeland management and livestock production subjects among many others.
“A number of training providers are already offering training on level 2 qualifications. The industry should continue to assist training providers in providing inputs into the delivery of qualifications. In this way courses will remain vibrant, current and immediately relevant and trainees will have opportunities to obtain first-hand experience in farming activities,” she noted.
Doerfler says having more qualified persons (at any level) available in the sector, means output and quality in production will be raised and stressed that the objective is to develop industry-relevant skills programmes to enhance agricultural production in the country; to encourage the move from subsistence to commercial agriculture; and to allow a larger sector of society to participate in skills development to reduce unemployment.
The entry requirement is a Grade 10 certificate. The process is aimed at engaging the entire agricultural industry with emphasis on farming systems and practises, jobs creation and the skills gaps. It also assists in developing relevant learning units and programmes, training providers and workplace experience.
To date the programme initiated six qualifications, including national certificates in Livestock Husbandry (NQF Level 2), Livestock Production (NQF Level 3), Horticulture and Crop Husbandry (NQF Level 2), Horticulture and Crop Production (NQF Level 3), Farm Machinery and Infrastructure (NQF Level 2 and 3), and the use of Unit Standards as short courses, aimed as upgrading the skills of persons already working in the agriculture sector.
Looking ahead, Doefler said more training providers are offering courses and the quality of training has improved, as trainers gain more experience in providing vocational training. She said experts on topics related to agriculture can assist training providers and provide space for trainees to visit farms and get practical demonstrations and that opportunities should also be provided for agricultural trainees to gain workplace experience on commercial farms.