Trustco Group Holdings Ltd and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) have launched a joint Information Technology (IT) Internship Program to equip Namibian ICT graduates with real-world work experience in the competitive corporate environment.
Young graduates and certified Namibians will put their academic experience to the test and hone their skills for the lifelong employment growth path and eventually job security in a volatile labour market.
Emmanuel Joseph, a four-year graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Informatics, was selected as the successful applicant of this inaugural Trustco IT program.
Upon completing his studies in Johannesburg, South Africa, he decided to come back home to apply all he has learned.
“It was a no-brainer decision for me. So many Namibians think that once they come of age, they would like to leave the country for good; I was no different. After a month of having fun, and being out of ‘mommy’s nest’, I felt terribly homesick.”
This program will be the beginning of Emmanuel’s IT career in the corporate world.
The deputy minister of ICT In Namibia, Emma Theofelus, expressed her excitement working alongside Trustco Group in launching this initiative.
Before her appointment, Theofelus was always policy adjacent; she was a youth activist around issues of gender, children’s rights, sustainable development and youth unemployment.
As such, she sees the need for youth development programs in Namibia.
“Our local government of today sees the need of creating platforms for the youth. Not in my wildest dreams did I foresee being part of central government in my current capacity. Trustco has been an equal champion in developing programs around youth development and entrepreneurship – that complements the efforts of government. We would urge fellow corporates to follow suit,” she said.
The joint Trustco/MICT one-year internship program focuses on freshly-graduated IT candidates with no work experience.
A program of this nature assists our youth to gain essential workplace skills that can be applied successfully in any future employment.
One of the requirements for the successful candidate was to pass the Trustco Group Integrated Annual Reports Test, a standardised policy for prospective employees and interns to comply with.
It is an open-book multiple-choice test done online on the Annual Reports of Trustco, which gave the potential interns the requisite background into Trustco’s business and operations, and to equip them with a basic knowledge of the groups’ culture and operations.
In April 2008, former President Hifikepunye Pohamba established MICT by merging the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Communication section from the ministry of Works, Transport and Communication.
MICT is responsible for information technology, telecommunications, broadcasting, media and the postal sectors in Namibia. ICT plays a key role in achieving sustainable economic development goals through the availability and accessibility of many essential ICT services.
Through the use of ICT, many rural people are now able to access important information and be informed on important issues affecting their everyday activities on agriculture, social welfare, health and education, among others, through the use of ICT.
Emmanuel’s internship in Trustco’s IT department will provide him with the necessary skills to make a success of his career ahead.
“The working environment of Trustco is so pleasant – everyone from top to ground floor looks like they belong right here, comfortable and highly competitive in what they do. I will perform to the best of my ability here at Trustco, and I believe if I give my best, I can become a fully-fledged Trustconian,” he said.
Trustco Group’s chief information officer David Swindon expressed his satisfaction with the successful program: “It is our national duty to look at projects that uplift the youth in Namibia. In an ever-changing work environment, inspired by innovation and experience, and championed by both the youth and seasoned specialists in ICT, we see a bright future for the industry,” he said.
Photo: Trustco
Caption:
Real world… Emmanuel Joseph (left) and deputy minister of information Emma Theofelus.
Photo: Contributed