Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Retail workers also need academic training – unionist

Home National Retail workers also need academic training – unionist

Swakopmund

Namibian institutions of higher learning should formulate courses that would allow employees in the retail and wholesale industry to get recognition and much-needed qualifications.

According to the secretary general of the Namibia Wholesale and Retail Workers Union (NWRWU), Victor Hamunyela, no such courses are being offered in Namibia and this forces many Namibians employed in the retail sector to stagnate in poorly paid positions.

He says opportunities should be created for those employed in the two sectors to improve themselves, instead of staying as cashiers and shelf-packers for the rest of their lives. Hamunyela was speaking at the opening of their new union offices in Swakopmund last week.

According to him, courses are being developed even for nail technicians, but not for retail workers. “There are courses on offer even for those doing nails. Why can’t we do the same with the wholesale and retail sector? Some of these people have more than 20 years of experience, but when it’s time for them to seek employment they are asked for qualifications, which they don’t have. This is clearly one aspect we must address urgently.”

He further said the industry employs about 23 000 people and it is thus sad to see that they don’t have a career path, let alone the prospect of promotion due to the lack of qualifications. “They only rely on the experience they gained over the years, despite yearning for better qualifications,” he further stated.

It is understood that such courses are available only in South Africa. However, those who are interested in pursuing recognised qualifications say it is all but impossible to do so due to the fact that most of them are breadwinners and cannot simply leave their families in the lurch.

Also speaking at the same event, South African trade unionist Malose Kutumela encouraged workers to dream big and pursue their dreams. “Yes, you can start as a cleaner, but should not remain that. Do not get comfortable in your current positions. Work your way up. Get a qualification that will enable you to provide a better future for your family. Be a cashier now, but become an auditor,” he said.