Auleria Wakudumo
The construction progress at the Khorixas Vocational Training Centre (VTC) hostel is advancing smoothly.
Housing for vocational students has been a challenge in the country.
The facilities are expected to improve accommodation for future intakes at the centre.
Since its establishment, the Khorixas VTC has been steadily improving its infrastructure to meet increasing demand and enhance learning and living conditions for students.
The Khorixas VTC was established at a cost of N$79.5 million. Of this amount, N$21 million was allocated for site clearance, fencing, stone pitching around the river embankment, bulk earthworms, stormwater infrastructures, sewer reticulation, water and electricity installations, installation of trenches to protect the property against elephants, as well as the relocation of auction pens and related infrastructure to an alternative site.
A further N$58.9 million was invested in constructing the world-class training facilities.
The centre, built on 25.5 hectares of land donated by the Khorixas Town Council to the government, offers courses in bricklaying and plastering, joinery and cabinet making, plumbing and pipefitting, as well as air conditioning and refrigerating.
These programmes were selected based on industry needs, with input from the local community.
The centre recently hosted its second intake trainee orientation programme, welcoming 98 new trainees to various vocational courses, comprising 32 in Level 1 and 66 in Level 2.
Centre manager Hanna Garises said the centre was established in the region to serve the needs of Kunene’s residents.
“We are still accepting applications for Level 1 and encourage those who have not yet applied to take advantage of this opportunity,” she said.
She noted that Khorixas VTC is part of a network of vocational training centres operated by the Namibia Training Authority, created to deliver high-quality technical and vocational education that prepares students with essential skills for today’s employment landscape.
“When we were growing up, we were taught to study so that we could work to earn a salary. But you are so privileged that you are trained in skills so that you can work for yourself.
This is about more than training. It is about creating opportunities, fostering innovation and driving social economic development in our region,” Garises stated.
The mayor of Khorixas, Sylvanus //Awaseb, stated that vocational training bridges the gap between aspiration and opportunity, as it equips the youth with practical skills, instils discipline and fosters a spirit of self-resilience that is essential for national development.
He encouraged the trainees to embrace the new training cycle with determination and pride.
He urged them to let their time at the VTC be defined by curiosity, collaboration and excellence.