OMUTHIYA - The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC)’s Oshikoto regional director Aletta Eises has encouraged learners to enrol at vocational training centres (VTCs) to gain practical skills and be self-employed.

Speaking at the Omuthiya Vocational Training Centre (OMVTC)’s fundraising gala dinner on Saturday in the Oshikoto region, she stressed that “in Namibia,
after graduation, thousands of students cannot be employed because they are graduates from conventional education, and we need VTCs to prepare learners to create employment for themselves”.

 Eises noted that some graduates from conventional education have marched to the Prime Minister’s office for employment, saying VTC graduates will always create
their own employment and employ others as well.

In this millennium, vocational training will stand the test of time as it provides practical skills to learners.

“Vocational training does not prepare students to look for jobs, but it trains them to be masters of their craft”, she noted. 

The OMVTC currently has 70 students, and has raised a total of N$79 325 from
the gala dinner to purchase workshop equipment and land.

Its chairperson Mocks Shivute said they established the centre in 2022, and offer vocational training programmes such as auto-mechanics, welding and metal fabrication, hospitality and tourism as well as office administration.

Meanwhile, Shivute Buildware and Hardware Supplies’ sales associate Patience Majova pledged automotive mechanics, welding and metal fabrication tools worth N$45 500 to the institution as
an investment that would curb
unemployment in the country through increased vocational education institutions’ support.

- Nampa