Kunene VTC set to open soon
Educational, economic development comes to Khorixas
Approximately 100 trainees and staff members are expected to start occupying the various workshops and classrooms, despite the fact that construction has not yet been completed.
The long-awaited Kunene Vocational Training Centre (VTC) is set to open its doors in Khorixas soon, marking a significant milestone in the region's educational and economic development. The state-of-the-art facility, funded by the higher education ministry and the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), will begin its first trainee intake in September, with classes commencing shortly thereafter.
Kunene governor Marius Sheya recently said the centre is in the final stages of preparation, with the employment of staff members underway to ensure a smooth opening in June. Approximately 100 trainees and staff members are expected to start occupying the various workshops and classrooms, despite the fact that construction has not yet been completed.
The initial intake will benefit from four newly-constructed workshops focusing on air conditioning and refrigeration, plumbing and pipe fitting, bricklaying and plastering, and joinery and cabinet-making.
According to NTA technical and vocational education and training standards manager Amon Haufiku, these workshops were specifically built to cater to these trades, while future programme expansions will be considered based on regional demand and the success of the current offerings.
Construction began in 2018 but faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The centre's completion and subsequent opening are highly anticipated by local leaders and the community. The second phase of development will include the construction of hostel blocks to accommodate the growing number of trainees, and discussions are ongoing regarding additional programmes that can promote self-employment.
Prioritising local employment
Khorixas mayor Patience !Hoaes expressed her excitement about the upcoming opening of the centre. “All thanks and credit go to the ministry and the NTA for funding the construction."
Sheya further highlighted the importance of prioritising local employment for entry-level positions, ensuring that the benefits of the centre are felt directly by the community.
Meanwhile, the Khorixas town council has been urged to provide land or collaborate with private investors to develop accommodation facilities to support the influx of trainees and staff.
Kunene governor Marius Sheya recently said the centre is in the final stages of preparation, with the employment of staff members underway to ensure a smooth opening in June. Approximately 100 trainees and staff members are expected to start occupying the various workshops and classrooms, despite the fact that construction has not yet been completed.
The initial intake will benefit from four newly-constructed workshops focusing on air conditioning and refrigeration, plumbing and pipe fitting, bricklaying and plastering, and joinery and cabinet-making.
According to NTA technical and vocational education and training standards manager Amon Haufiku, these workshops were specifically built to cater to these trades, while future programme expansions will be considered based on regional demand and the success of the current offerings.
Construction began in 2018 but faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The centre's completion and subsequent opening are highly anticipated by local leaders and the community. The second phase of development will include the construction of hostel blocks to accommodate the growing number of trainees, and discussions are ongoing regarding additional programmes that can promote self-employment.
Prioritising local employment
Khorixas mayor Patience !Hoaes expressed her excitement about the upcoming opening of the centre. “All thanks and credit go to the ministry and the NTA for funding the construction."
Sheya further highlighted the importance of prioritising local employment for entry-level positions, ensuring that the benefits of the centre are felt directly by the community.
Meanwhile, the Khorixas town council has been urged to provide land or collaborate with private investors to develop accommodation facilities to support the influx of trainees and staff.
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