The Helao Nafidi Town Council has in the last five years capacitated about 48 young unemployed graduates, of which 16 are currently employed at various local authorities and government offices.

Outgoing mayor Eliaser Nghipangelwa said four of the 16 have been absorbed in the council at Helao Nafidi.
Giving background to what led to the initiative, Nghipangelwa said although institutions send students on job attachments during their training, the council felt they do not acquire much due to the constraint time.
He said the graduates were taken in as volunteers, and rotated within the departments in the council, giving them wider knowledge and experience in all the council’s operations.

“The council realised that many young people completed various fields of studies from various high institutions, yet were not employed due to lack of employment opportunities,” said Nghipangelwa.
He said the initiative was further aimed at addressing unemployment in the country as well as meeting government halfway in creating jobs.

Nghipangelwa said the initiative also sought to ensure that young graduates acquire skills, as many vacant positions require applicants to have experience in the job they are applying for.
“Nowadays, the available vacancies in the employment industries in most cases require experience, knowledge and understanding of the working environment,” said Nghipangelwa.

He added that the training equipped the graduates with skills on the operations of local authorities in Namibia and the general conduct in a workplace and at the same time marketing them for future employment.
Nghipangelwa called on other institutions to develop a culture of capacitating the youth and ensuring that young graduates are ready for the job market. – nashipala@nepc.com.na