N$80m Khorixas VTC completed five years later

The Khorixas Vocational Training Centre (VTC), championed by the late Dr Nickey Iyambo, has come to fruition five years after it was proposed.

The centre - which cost almost N$80 million and was built on land donated by the Khorixas Town Council - was officially inaugurated yesterday.

A joint project of the higher education ministry and the Namibia Training Authority, the facility forms part of government’s comprehensive technical and vocational education and training transformation and expansion strategy. This strategy targeted programmatic and physical infrastructure growth and expansion at existing public VTCs, while also identifying key initiatives to establish an efficient and effective public VTC footprint in all 14 regions. Kunene was one of the regions where this footprint did not exist, higher education minister Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi said at the inauguration ceremony.

According to her, the centre will offer training in bricklaying and plastering, joinery and cabinetmaking, plumbing and pipefitting as well as air-conditioning and refrigeration.

Phases completed

The first phase of the project, known as Phase 1A, was completed towards the end of 2019 for N$21 million. The minister further detailed that the costs for this phase included site clearance, fencing, bulk earthworks, stormwater infrastructure and water and electricity installations.

The second phase, referred to as Phase 1B, began in 2019. Following an open national bidding process, a tender to construct the buildings was awarded, and the site was handed over to the contractor in 2020. Costs for Phase 1B amounted to N$58.5 million.

"In terms of further expansion over the short- to medium-term, we are in the process of firming up arrangements for the construction of trainee accommodation and staff housing facilities as well as an additional classroom block to cater for more theoretical training sessions," Kandjii-Murangi said.

Rich potential

Also in attendance yesterday, President Nangolo Mbumba emphasised Namibia's rich potential. He highlighted the country's natural resources, cultural heritage and hardworking people as assets that could drive national progress.

Mbumba noted that Namibia is entering an exciting phase of development, with emerging sectors like green hydrogen and oil and gas offering significant opportunities to transform the economy and achieve greater success. He added that the Khorixas VTC will be a crucial gateway for young people seeking to empower themselves through education and participation in these growing industries.