WINDHOEK – The Namibian Training Authority (NTA) has dedicated N$1.4 billion over the next four years to support the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Transformation and Expansion Strategy, its CEO Jerry Beukes has said.
Addressing the media yesterday, Beukes also announced the institution collected in the last three months, N$104 million from 2 816 Vocational Education and Training (VET) levy-paying employers.
Beukes said since the inception of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) levy, the institution has collected an amount of N$1.4 billion.
Government requires all Namibian registered employers with an annual payroll of N$1 million or more to register and pay one percent of the value of their actual annual payroll, as a VET levy to NTA’s national training fund on a monthly basis.
The NTA collects and applies such funds towards up-skilling and training Namibians in key national priority training and occupation areas.
According to Beukes 50 percent of the levy is paid back to employers based on evidence that they had trained their employees, while 35 percent is a reserve for Key Priority Training Grants and 15 percent goes to the administration cost of the NTA.
He said during the period under review, the institution received claims from employers in terms of Employer Training Grant of N$355m but the institution only managed to pay N$108m.
“Claims payout are subject to training courses being VET related, valid evidence documentation, no outstanding interest and/or penalties, as well as claims not exceeding the 50 percent claim ceiling,” he said.
In this, Beukes said VET levy registered employers who wish to apply for the employer training grant must ensure they have paid their levies for the full financial year and have no interest or penalties outstanding.
He said payouts remains ongoing and he anticipates a good number of claims to be paid out under the 2016/17 financial year to be paid over the next few months.
Furthermore, Beukes said the NTA commenced with the process of appointing Compliance Inspectors with assistance of Public Service Commission Secretariat & Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation (MHETI).
Amongst others, he said the inspectors are to perform site and verification visits.
Beukes said ongoing VET Levy implementation progress can largely be ascribed to unyielding support of registered employers
He said VET Levy underlies future sustainability of Namibia’s TVET sector as part of partnership with government.
Also, he said eligible employers continue to register and collection figures continue to grow year on year.
On Key Priority Grant, Beukes said strategic medium to longer-term commitments of resources generated are strategically sound and aligned with industry needs and country’s broader development objectives.
He said the Employer Training Grant – amendments to evidence requirements have already made the process more employer-friendly.
Beukes says alternatives are resulting in more streamlined and efficient claims process on the part of employers.
Caption (NTA): NTA CEO Jerry Beukes