KATIMA MULILO – The N$62 million Zambezi Vocational Training Centre (VTC) has introduced new programmes as part of its expansion project, bringing the total number of trades on offer to 13.
The facility boasts of an automotive workshop with equipment worth N$42 million sponsored by the Japanese government. This was revealed by Rodger Coetzee of the Zambezi VTC hotel school, who said the new trades are automotive; electrical general; air-conditioning and refrigeration; and culinary arts.
“This brings to 13 the number of trades offered by Zambezi VTC. The expansion project also includes the development of a 1 000-seater multi-purpose hall, bulk store, and a newly-built hostel block that caters to 80 trainees (40 males and 40 females),” he said when asked on the expansion plans that Zambezi VTC is undertaking to provide quality vocational training to needy students.
The older technical and commercial trades are agriculture - crop production (levels 2 and 3); agriculture - farm machinery (levels 2, 3); bricklaying and plastering (levels 1, 2, 3); clothing production (levels 1, 2, 3); joinery and cabinet-making (levels 1, 2,3). The others are plumbing and pipefitting (levels 1, 2, 3); and welding and metal fabrication (levels 2, 3, 4); hospitality and tourism (levels 2, 3, 4); and office administration (levels 1, 2, 3, 4). The institution has two intakes annually in January and July.
On average, they have an intake of 180 trainees – both males and females.
He said some of the major challenges that the VTC faces is the financial constraint which threatens the quality of training at the institution.
He also said the shortage of accommodation for trainees remains another big challenge. Coetzee highlighted that upgrading and/or replacement of training equipment has proved to be challenging because of non-availability of funds.
Other challenges include the shortage of skilled TVET trainers possessing both industrial and teaching experience.
However, he indicated Zambezi VTC has established functional production units such as the 21-room hotel, agriculture produce, bricklaying and plastering, welding, joinery and cabinet making, and plumbing services.
“In these production units, our trainees have the privilege of job attachment and it enhances training for them,” Coetzee noted.
He said the campus and the 12-room double-story accommodation facility were constructed by the VTC’s trainees.
The institution has also undertaken numerous construction projects in the region as well as in the Khomas region.
Part of the commitment by VTCs across Namibia is to meet the government halfway by providing technical and vocational expertise.
He added that the VTC had manufactured chairs and desks for the regional council, under a project that was sponsored by Kalahari Holdings.
They also built ablution facilities for various schools in the region.
Coetzee encouraged Namibian youth to take vocational education seriously, saying the benefits are endless with possibilities of becoming an entrepreneur and competing with international skilled artisans across the globe.
“With new projects in green hydrogen in Namibia and other possible discoveries, TVET stands at the frontline to grant youth career opportunities through skills development and training for these projects,” he stressed.
Furthermore, Coetzee stated it is important that Namibian youth change their perception of TVET and support them in advocacy as well as in enrolment.
- anakale@nepc.com.na