By Clemence Tashaya
EENHANA – The Namibian Career Expo, an organisation wholly owned by young Namibians will next Wednesday and Thursday hold its career expo and fair in Ongwediva.
The planned career fair is intended to educate and make aware members of the public, mostly learners from various schools in the North about the role a variety of institutions of higher learning such as the University of Namibia (Unam), the Polytechnic of Namibia, the soon to be re-named University of Science and Technology (UNST) and other vocational training centres across the country.The launch will be held on March 4 at Libertine Amathila Hall. The fair will provide current learners, students and trainees from various institutions of higher learning with an interacting platform. According to the Career Expo spokesperson, Hilka Amadhila, Minister of Education, Dr. David Namwandi, will address learners and students attending the fair.
“Many of the learners will be given the opportunity to personally interact with the Minister of Education, David Namwandi, as guest of honour. Other notable invited guests are the Oshana Regional Governor, Clemence Kashuupulwa and the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) northern branch Chairperson, Thomas Iindji, as well as four regional education directors in the north,” says an upbeat Amadhila. She further notes that young Namibians should understand that it is not only through Unam and the Polytechnic that they can afford to drive an expensive car and live a better life. VTCs can also provide that platform and should not just wait to be employed, rather they should be employers after graduation from the VTCs courses.
“We have many vocational training centres under the Namibian Training Authority (NTA) and some of these graduates from NTA have become successful businessmen and women, therefore the young ones should come in dozens in order for them to learn one or two things,” she says. The Namibia Career Expo has also invited many companies to exhibit at this year’s fair. “Over forty companies ranging from parastatals, private and government owned institutions and departments will be taking part come next week. Omega Offshore has been the main sponsor for the Northern expo while Sanlam Investment Management is the overall sponsor for the Namibian Career Expo. TransNamib Holdings and the Namibian National Youth Council (NYC) are also part of the sponsors of this annual event,” she explains
Besides exposing youth and providing learners and students with guidelines as well as mentorship programmes, the Namibian Career Expo also scout potential students and provide assistance to the needy and yet deserving learners. Institutions that have so far confirmed participation at the expo include, Unam, the International University of Management (IUM), Eenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC), Valambola Vocational Training Centre (VVTC), Ilsa Independent college, Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) and the Monitronic Success College. “We also have other South African institutions of higher learning such as Edulink, Monash and Greenside ,” she says. The career fair will be held at Sam Nujoma Multi-Purpose Centre in Ongwediva.
Other regions which have benefited from these career expos are Khomas region where it started, Erongo in the west and the northern regions of Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto and Omusati. Last year, TransNamib sponsored transport for learners from the Coast to attend the Windhoek expo. More information about the career fair is available from Amadhila at cell phone number: +264 81 4227 424 (mobile) or landline number: 061 245 711.