Paulus Shiku
Steven Klukowski
KEETMANSHOOP – It was a joyous occasion when Vice President (VP) Lucia Witbooi presided over the official opening of the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre yesterday.
It is one of the many regional centres run by the Namibia Training Authority.
The N$127 million centre has so far registered 253 trainees pursuing various courses.
Of this number, 101 are women.
The VP indicated that this centre is a testimony to the government’s commitment to building to provide equal access to vocational skills to all Namibians.
“Government has brought this centre to you, the people of //Kharas and Namibia at large, as proof of its unwavering commitment to making sure that every Namibian has access to quality education, which will allow them to survive in the job market,” she said.
Witbooi added that the inauguration of this centre is a clear testimony to the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Namibian, especially the youth, has access to quality vocational training that equips them with relevant skills necessary for today’s job market.
“In addition, it underscores Namibia’s upward trajectory in advancing our shared national objective of expanding access to technical and vocational skills,’’ she said.
“Its establishment stands as a testament that our government remains firmly committed to building a vibrant and responsive national TVET sector. New skills demands are emerging from major macroeconomic development initiatives, most notably in the green hydrogen and oil and gas sectors,” she emphasised.
Also speaking at the opening, education minister Sanet Steenkamp encouraged the trainees to remain committed and work hard to complete their courses.
She discouraged them from quitting their courses while at the same time encouraging discipline.
“Speak out when you are facing difficulties, and you will be assisted, but do not drop out,” Steenkamp said.
She also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure high standards of service delivery within Namibia’s vocational education sector.
The project was financed through a loan from the African Development Bank and represents a strategic investment for the //Kharas and Hardap regions.
“It is my recommendation that the first intake should come from the //Kharas and Hardap regions, while the rest of the country should be catered for in subsequent intakes,” she said.
Steenkamp emphasised that the KVTC should be positioned as a centre of excellence through collaboration with other vocational training institutions.
She further urged that the first cohort of graduates be prioritised for employment opportunities in emerging sectors such as oil and gas, as well as green hydrogen.
Addressing the centre’s management, the minister called for the establishment of a strong organisational culture supported by clear planning and strategic direction.
“You should establish an organisational culture at the KVTC by being responsive to your own needs and by having a clear plan and vision in place for how to run the centre successfully,” she said.
Steenkamp noted that the facility is equipped to offer programmes aligned with industry needs, including solar installation and mechanical engineering.
She reiterated that students enrolled at the centre are exempt from paying registration fees, in line with the government’s free tertiary education policy.
She noted that quality and inclusive education remain central to addressing Namibia’s skills shortages and supporting long-term economic development.
In his message on behalf of the trainees at the centre, Fitting and Machining intake Marlon Binga said, as pioneers entering the institution, they will deliver what will be expected from them by the community. “Opportunities like this are very rare, hence our commitment to build the nation and country at large with the knowledge gained here,” he remarked.
The trainee also said, since opportunities like this are rare, they will make the town and region proud by putting it on the map and equip themselves properly to become job providers instead of seekers at the end.
The southern town has seen several developments since independence, first starting with a shopping mall in 2014 and traffic lights.
The University of Namibia also established a campus here to provide access to tertiary education.
There have been several housing developments in the Kronlein and Extension 7 sections of the town, providing much needed and safe housing for residents.
Therefore, developments have provided jobs to many, especially young people from the town and the Kharas region.
The KVTC offers courses in water supply, sanitation and desalination, solar installation and maintenance, electrical engineering, fitting and machining, coded welding, occupational health and safety and logistics and chain supply.
– sklukowski@nepc.com.na
– Additional reporting by Nampa