The St. Benedict’s Vocational Training Centre, a non-profit organisation in Windhoek, was launched recently to create employment opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship through vocational training.

The training centre offers trades such as joinery, carpentry, information communication technology, clothing production, jewellery design, as well as English.

Mother Simon Lee explained that one of the reasons for the high youth unemployment rate in Namibia is the lack of career guidance in schools.

“In schools, young Namibians should be empowered, self-reliant and be productive through improved services in education, health, and economic empowerment. We must do our best to provide young people with access to quality education. We are happy to add one more Catholic institution that will provide quality education to both men and women in the country,” she said.

With Namibia having one of the youngest populations in Africa, it could reach a staggering 50.3% youth unemployment rate by the end of 2021, according to figures from the Namibia Statistics Agency.

Mother Lee added the centre is currently in the process of registering with the Namibia Training Authority and the Namibia Qualifications Authority.

She encouraged the first batch of students to work hard.

“Being the first group of teachers and students of our centre, I earnestly ask you to do your best and succeed in your teaching-learning experience, since you lay the foundation to the centre,” she concluded.

The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing Incorporated Foundation is a non-profit organisation, established in 2021.

They aim to equip young adults in the country by providing vocational training in various sectors, for which there is actual market demand.