THERE have been miscon ceptions about vocational trades, with some saying it is for people who can’t get enough points to go to university, for people who can’t get good jobs or qualifications while students have praised the role they play in offering technical skills.
The Gobabis Vocational Training Centre (GVTC), established in 2016, is one haven that has the mandate of equipping prospective trainees with quality skills and knowledge in accordance with the needs of stakeholders by making vocational education fashionable.
“Namibia is a hot and arid country, so we need a proper cooling system and the same applies when it comes to food storage, we need to find better ways of introducing sustainable cooling systems,” explained Gamenandje Kalunduka on why he decided to study Air Conditioning.
The 19-year-old level two student won a bronze medal at the recently concluded WorldSkills Competition which was held at Ongwediva.
“For those who want to pursue a career in vocational fields should go ahead and apply before the due date. There are many jobs that are only done by people with technical backgrounds, not everyone can fix an air conditioner, for example, it takes skills,” stated the Oshikuku-born artisan. Clothing production trainee, Sheyaa Kandovazu said she is happy to be doing that course and her aspirations entail owning a boutique.
“When I completed my office administration course, I started job hunting and I decided to take up another course this year, something that enlightened me to become self-sufficient and create work for myself,” recalled the Tallismanus-raised tailor on her path to fashion design.
The 28-year-old stated that young people should take the opportunity to study vocational courses because the possibilities of being self-employed are high.
“You can be your own employer while you are job hunting and be productive. This is something that can take you off the streets,” stated Kandovazu while busy with clothing lessons in a workshop.
The spokesperson of GVTC Voilet Simataa told Youth Corner it is quite remarkable for the achievement of the centre as everybody looks at them as the smallest VTC.
“We have the capabilities of proving them wrong and show that we can do more despite the fact that we are more effective that we managed to scope three medals in the area of air conditioning and refrigeration,” she noted. Simataa shared that they were also recognised at the concluded Windhoek Agricultural and Industrial Showgrounds for a great stall.
“The fact that it was the first time to be in the Windhoek Showground with limited resources and managed to be appreciated, considering that we were the only VTC there, we are here to make sure that we are known,” said the optimistic Simataa.
Simataa said there seems to be a lack of interest in people from Omaheke itself: “The influx we are getting from other regions is high compared to the interest from the inhabitants of Omaheke region. So, we get more trainees from the other regions rather than from our own,” she disappointingly stated. She added that they have done their due diligence as an institution and that their courses are accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority, they are registered with the Namibia Training Authority and once the trainees are accepted, they get also funding from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund. “When it comes to courses like these, we try our level best to create employers and not merely job seekers. We are advocating for them to create jobs and employ other people and we have seen tremendous growth,” stated Simataa. She said: “The training centre has been growing tremendously since its inception in 2016. We only started with three trades which were office admin, aircon and auto electric. Now we have on-board automotive mechatronics, welding, metal fabrication and fashion design.”
Simataa stated that the next phase will be a self-catering hostel that will accommodate about 350 trainees, and tap into the trades of agriculture, both animal and crop production and solar and electrical.
– psiririka@nepc.com.na