Govt backs extended internships to boost employability
Work experience crucial
Government has implemented a strategy to insentivise the private sector to offer internships for longer periods to improve the development of job skills among the youth.
Swapo vice-president and presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah last week highlighted a resolution focused on youth empowerment that was adopted at the seventh Swapo Party Congress in 2022.
The resolution is focused on helping young people become employable.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks during a Swapo Youth League Q&A dialogue in Rundu on Friday, which saw a large turnout of youth members.
The vice-president was addressing a question about government's plans to aid youth in gaining work experience, particularly for entry-level positions that require experience.
"Based on that resolution, last year during our engagements in Walvis Bay, we discussed youth unemployment. One of the contributing factors is the job market's demand for experience, which young graduates often lack. Job attachments do not significantly help in this regard. The job attachment period is indeed limited to three months, but it can be reviewed,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She added that while these job attachments help students get their qualifications, they do not necessarily make them employable.
"Based on this, we prepared a report that was presented to the Cabinet. Cabinet implemented a strategy to attract the private sector to offer internships, not just attachments. It was agreed that internships should last at least six months and can extend to 12 months or beyond," she said.
"To incentivise the private sector, a tax rebate was introduced by the minister of finance, which is now in place. Several companies have registered and are ready to accept students for internships, appreciating them accordingly. This programme aims to help young people gain experience and become employable."
Student debt
Another question raised was how the vice-president plans to address student debt and facilitate sustainable student funding.
"The Namibian government is committed to supporting education. Our constitution mandates primary education, but we also support students through secondary school and university. The Namibian government allocated N$20.3 billion, accounting for 27.3% of the national budget for the 2023–2024 financial year, representing over 9% of GDP," she said.
"This explains how we want to sustain funding for our students so that they can complete their studies. As a policy, we also decided that any Namibian student who qualifies for the Namibia Student Financial Assistance must benefit from it," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She emphasised that it is crucial that the government and the private sector meet halfway.
"Some parents, who are in a certain income bracket, have the responsibility to fund their own children's education. When students face financial difficulties, an assessment is made to provide assistance, ensuring they can complete their studies and contribute to national development."
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The resolution is focused on helping young people become employable.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks during a Swapo Youth League Q&A dialogue in Rundu on Friday, which saw a large turnout of youth members.
The vice-president was addressing a question about government's plans to aid youth in gaining work experience, particularly for entry-level positions that require experience.
"Based on that resolution, last year during our engagements in Walvis Bay, we discussed youth unemployment. One of the contributing factors is the job market's demand for experience, which young graduates often lack. Job attachments do not significantly help in this regard. The job attachment period is indeed limited to three months, but it can be reviewed,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She added that while these job attachments help students get their qualifications, they do not necessarily make them employable.
"Based on this, we prepared a report that was presented to the Cabinet. Cabinet implemented a strategy to attract the private sector to offer internships, not just attachments. It was agreed that internships should last at least six months and can extend to 12 months or beyond," she said.
"To incentivise the private sector, a tax rebate was introduced by the minister of finance, which is now in place. Several companies have registered and are ready to accept students for internships, appreciating them accordingly. This programme aims to help young people gain experience and become employable."
Student debt
Another question raised was how the vice-president plans to address student debt and facilitate sustainable student funding.
"The Namibian government is committed to supporting education. Our constitution mandates primary education, but we also support students through secondary school and university. The Namibian government allocated N$20.3 billion, accounting for 27.3% of the national budget for the 2023–2024 financial year, representing over 9% of GDP," she said.
"This explains how we want to sustain funding for our students so that they can complete their studies. As a policy, we also decided that any Namibian student who qualifies for the Namibia Student Financial Assistance must benefit from it," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She emphasised that it is crucial that the government and the private sector meet halfway.
"Some parents, who are in a certain income bracket, have the responsibility to fund their own children's education. When students face financial difficulties, an assessment is made to provide assistance, ensuring they can complete their studies and contribute to national development."
[email protected]
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