NUST hosts second TVET symposium, advocates sector transformation

A two-day symposium themed ‘TVET Transformation Trends in Namibia’ has drawn more than 70 in-person attendees and over 100 participants online.The symposium, held recently in Windhoek, was sponsored by GIZ ProTVET.The event allowed government officials, industry leaders, academics and other stakeholders to evaluate the progress made in the implementation of Namibia’s 2021 TVET policy, as well as address challenges within the sector.The Namibia University of Technology (Nust) in a statement noted that key discussions revolved around aligning Namibia’s TVET standards with international benchmarks, fostering stakeholder engagement, and exploring innovative reforms to modernise the sector. Call for long-term focusIn his keynote address, Nust lecturer Dr Godfrey Tubaundule highlighted the risk of prioritising short-term economic outcomes over long-term societal benefits. “Systematic issues persist despite the legal and policy frameworks in place,” Tubaundule said. He pointed to the alarming rate of graduate unemployment in the TVET sector, stressing that many graduates are not adequately prepared for sustainable livelihoods.“As a result of the current focus on labour market demands, graduates often struggle to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said. He urged stakeholders to adopt a more holistic approach to skills development.Challenges The deputy director for TVET in the higher education ministry, Abraham Ndakolute, addressed challenges in policy implementation during the engagement. He emphasised that while the government has established robust policy frameworks, the on-the-ground execution remains inconsistent.“From a policy perspective, the government is doing its part but the interpretation and implementation at various levels are where the challenges lie,” said Ndakolute. He encouraged stakeholders to engage deeply with the 2021 TVET policy, calling for evidence-based research to guide effective implementation.Furthermore, Nust’s department of TVET announced plans to publish a policy brief, summarising the symposium’s key discussions, actionable recommendations and insights.

NUST hosts second TVET symposium, advocates sector transformation

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-04

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NUST hosts second TVET symposium, advocates sector transformation

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-04

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