N$10m for youth upskilling

The Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) with financial assistance from the German Chamber of Skilled Craft and technical support from the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), has embarked on a N$10 million training project for panelbeaters and spray painters.Currently, there are 36 trainees and 12 trainers attached to the project.The memorandum of understanding entails the skills of the panelbeaters and spray painters in the Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto regions being developed by the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC).Last week the German chamber conducted a training workshop for the NCCI northern branch leadership at Ongwediva.NCCI northern branch chairperson, Tomas Koneka Iindji, said panelbeating and spray painting is key a business opportunity in the northern regions, which remain largely untapped. He said many entrepreneurs have not ventured into this profitable sector, hence the need for creating training opportunities. Indji thanked the German chamber for its continued support.He said a total of N$10 million was budgeted for the project over a period of three years since 2017, and to date an amount of N$3 million had been used for operational and training costs.He added the workshop focused on a needs' analysis to assess branch performance and identify challenges. “Over the years the vocational training sector has undergone a transformation and is shaping up to be the link that has been missing in our economic set-up. “We at the NCCI have always called for emphasis to be placed on vocational skills acquisition. We have observed the trend that has been going on of most students desiring academic indulgence and the wearing of suits, with very few people venturing into trades that make one dirty,” Indji said.“Vocational education is critical for the development of Namibia and for the acceleration of the Harambee Prosperity Plan, NDP5 and the attainment of Vision 2030. A country without qualified artisans is a debilitated country.”Indji said the German economy is one of the strongest in Europe and the world and it is built by artisans. “Gone are the days where vocational education was considered to be a last resort.”Indji said they identified that no vocational centre in Namibia had previously offered panelbeating and spray painting training, and northern players in this industry were therefore self-taught.Insurance companies and other providers have stringent requirements, making it difficult for new entrants. A lack of capital is also a stumbling block, as equipment is relatively costly. In addition, skills are lacking with which to run sustainable businesses, including finance management, costing (quotations), human resource and marketing skills, Indji said.One of the German chamber project managers, Helene Ochs, told Namibian Sun they learnt there were many vehicles in the north, but only four certified businesses that offer panelbeating and spray paying for insured vehicles.These certified business, according to Ochs, only deal with non-structural components and any cars with structural repair work needs are sent to Windhoek.Ochs said the training programme is now aimed at upgrading skills for these businesses, so that they can fully benefit from the industry.“The NTA is currently reviewing the training programme so that it can be accredited. This industry is heavily monopolised by a group of people who are running it. Many of the people, when their vehicles luxurious vehicles are involved in accidents, have taken them to Windhoek and those in the northern regions do not benefit anything,” Ochs said.She commended the NCCI for the initiative and said in Germany its business chambers are facilitating vocational training, because they are the end-users of the training, and if they are not getting involved, there is no one to set standards.Indji said the NCCI values vocational training very highly, adding the pilot project was only benefiting panelbeaters and spray painters in Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto currently.“Our government has identified technical and vocational education and training (TVET) education as one of the pillars for successful industrialisation and life-long employment for its workforce. “TVET is also critical to advancing the skills of youth who may not be academically inclined, but possess technical aptitude.“For many young people in Namibia, educational choices are made in the light of economic conditions, which often mean that acquiring skills so they can contribute to family income. TVET therefore enhances their future employability prospects,” Indji added.ILENI NANDJATO

N$10m for youth upskilling

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-25

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N$10m for youth upskilling

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-25

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