Mobile Telecommunications Limited has announced its intentions to have its national internship programme, which was launched on 17 June 2019 absorbed into the national education.

“The MTC Namibia National Internship Programme marked a new dawn for stakeholders, among them interns, institutions of higher learning, and host organisations,” said MTC executive Tim Ekandjo.

He said the programme, which aims to accommodate over 160 interns annually, has so far assisted 600 students on a budget spanning N$7 million to date.

“We are now ready to upscale the project to become a national vehicle for internships. MTC and the Office of the Prime Minister will collectively contribute N$2 million per annum. So, we are looking for other corporates out there to come on board with a contribution of at least N$200 000,” he requested. 

He said around 48 000 students nationally are in dire need of internships to graduate.

Ekandjo further said while this reality can be viewed as a checklist for benefiting graduates, internships in general also answer to hostile requirements from an industry that only opens doors to graduates who have experience.

He said MTC has thus far identified 53 corporates and called for each corporate to pledge an amount of N$200 000. 

“Let us assist these students together so that we better prepare a certified and skilled workforce. We need to do our part in writing this chapter so that the history books of the internship will have something revolutionary to say about us,” Ekandjo advised.

He further noted, should all considered corporates sign, the programme will raise an amount of N$14.4 million per annum, which would translate to an upscale intake from 160 to 1 600 students per annum.

MTC managing director Licky Erastus said while the programme takes stock of its achievements, smart partnerships will have a bigger impact.

“We are now at a point where we want to carve out a future for the programme, with the aim to see how it can be integrated into the national education goals and structure. Frankly speaking, we have, per annum, more students who need internships, but unfortunately, the programme can only take in 160 per year,” said Erastus 

He said it is a number that we consider very little if we are to make a significant impact.

“We, are, therefore, really urging and calling on more corporates to come on board so that together, as good corporate citizens, can, make a positive difference in this regard,” Erastus urged. 

- vkaapanda@nepc.com.na