Gemstone training graduates honoured
Of the 44 graduates, 25 are women
To address unemployment and the export of unprocessed gems, the industrialisation ministry established a Gemstone Training Centre to unlock jobs and boost the local economy.
In a significant development for the Namibian gemstone industry, 44 young Namibians graduated from the Namibian Gemstone Training Centre last week.
The event, which took place in Windhoek, highlighted the importance of skills development in a sector where 90% of gemstones currently leave the country in their rough form.
The exportation of unprocessed gemstones not only leads to job losses but also deprives the local economy of potential revenue. Recognising this problem, the industrialisation and trade ministry established the Gemstone Training Centre in Karibib, Erongo Region, in 2019.
Equipped for jobs
The goal of the centre is to provide Namibian youth with the necessary skills in cutting and polishing gemstones to meet this challenge and maximise the potential of the industry. The training centre has trained a total of 142 beneficiaries so far, of which 138 have successfully graduated after completing the training programme.
Furthermore, the centre has facilitated the placement of at least 95% of trainees in the diamond industry, where they are able to continue their skills training while earning an income as qualified employees.
Industrialisation and trade minister Lucia Iipumbu praised the graduates for their hard work and dedication during their training.
"I am very happy to be here to witness 44 young Namibians, 25, or more than half of who are women, being presented with their graduation certificates."
Critical role
She said the graduates will undoubtedly play a critical role in the growth strategy of Namibia's jewellery and coloured gemstone industries, and related value chains.
Furthermore, Iipumbu added that it is only through such innovative and targeted measures that the Namibian economy can become more self-reliant.
The minister added that the gemstone training is an important contribution to alleviating poverty in the country.
"Producing many graduates of this course is an important element of the war against poverty and a further step on Namibia’s path towards becoming a highly competitive and industrialised nation in gemstone cutting and polishing with a sustainable economic growth plan as depicted in Vision 2030," she said.
The event, which took place in Windhoek, highlighted the importance of skills development in a sector where 90% of gemstones currently leave the country in their rough form.
The exportation of unprocessed gemstones not only leads to job losses but also deprives the local economy of potential revenue. Recognising this problem, the industrialisation and trade ministry established the Gemstone Training Centre in Karibib, Erongo Region, in 2019.
Equipped for jobs
The goal of the centre is to provide Namibian youth with the necessary skills in cutting and polishing gemstones to meet this challenge and maximise the potential of the industry. The training centre has trained a total of 142 beneficiaries so far, of which 138 have successfully graduated after completing the training programme.
Furthermore, the centre has facilitated the placement of at least 95% of trainees in the diamond industry, where they are able to continue their skills training while earning an income as qualified employees.
Industrialisation and trade minister Lucia Iipumbu praised the graduates for their hard work and dedication during their training.
"I am very happy to be here to witness 44 young Namibians, 25, or more than half of who are women, being presented with their graduation certificates."
Critical role
She said the graduates will undoubtedly play a critical role in the growth strategy of Namibia's jewellery and coloured gemstone industries, and related value chains.
Furthermore, Iipumbu added that it is only through such innovative and targeted measures that the Namibian economy can become more self-reliant.
The minister added that the gemstone training is an important contribution to alleviating poverty in the country.
"Producing many graduates of this course is an important element of the war against poverty and a further step on Namibia’s path towards becoming a highly competitive and industrialised nation in gemstone cutting and polishing with a sustainable economic growth plan as depicted in Vision 2030," she said.
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Namibian Sun
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