SWAKOPMUND – Namibia must bridge the skills mismatch and equip its young people with skills for the future.
Failure to do this will risk the country ending up with an irrelevant and defunct system.
This was said by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in a speech delivered on her behalf by Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses at the official opening of the 4th National Skills Competition in Swakopmund on Monday.
The competition brings together 179 competitors from all over Namibia, who will showcase their talents over four days in Swakopmund.
They are competing in 16 skill areas, including automobile technology, welding, electrical installations, refrigeration and air conditioning, plumbing and heating, hairdressing, web technologies, mechatronics, fashion technology, graphic design technology and cooking.
At least 30 local and continental training institutions and exhibitors will participate, while over 300 delegates and 21 presenters are expected to contribute to the skills conference that runs alongside the competition.Nandi-Ndaitwah said the competition not only celebrates technical and vocational education and training (TVET) but also highlights its critical role in shaping Namibia’s economic future. “Skills competitions align with Namibia’s national long-term strategic endeavour to transform and leverage the TVET sector, drive innovation – and by extension, support economic prosperity for future generations,” she said.The President said TVET must remain innovative and adaptable to meet the demands of globalisation and opportunities in emerging industries, such as oil and gas. She added that government, in partnership with the Namibia Training Authority, is transforming public vocational training centres into full Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges offering higher-level qualifications.
“A national task force has already been established to spearhead this initiative,” she said.
Also speaking at the opening, education minister Sanet Steenkamp said TVET stands central in the development of the country’s aspirations and forms an integral part of the mainstream education system.
She said TVET should not be seen as an option but as a deliberate career choice because it is the future.
She stated that, while recognition of TVET’s importance has been achieved, it is not enough to sustain growth.
Steenkamp said Namibia needs intentional investment with targeted interventions to ensure the system delivers, as it is important to bridge the skills mismatch and equip young people with relevant skills for the future of work.
She said much of the country’s solution lies in strong ethical leadership, smart partnerships, close collaboration and honest industry engagement.