Job-hungry youth flood college registration in Rundu
Training offers practical and theoretical lessons
Young Namibians were urged to take the opportunity seriously and show commitment.
Over 1 700 young people registered for a month-long skills training programme in Rundu, with organisers expecting the number to rise beyond 2 000 as late applications continue to stream in.
The workshop, which kicked off yesterday, is spearheaded by Ezze Training College in collaboration with the National Youth Council (NYC), local town and constituency councils and other stakeholders.
The training offers practical and theoretical lessons in areas such as office administration, hospitality, tourism, leadership and computer literacy.
Speaking to Namibian Sun during Monday's official registration day, Ezze Training College founder Lydia Haufiku said the overwhelming turnout reflects the desperate need among Namibian youth to gain employable skills and escape the trap of unemployment.
"We’ve received about 1 780 applicants so far, and the number is still growing,” she confirmed.
“There is high demand because young people want to be skilled, employable or self-employed.”
High demand
Haufiku said the centre chose to focus on the Kavango East and West regions due to high rates of teenage pregnancy, unemployment and gender-related challenges.
“We are trying to offer these young people a way out, a chance to create better lives for themselves.”
The training is taking place at the gender and youth office in Rundu, with classrooms arranged to manage the high number of participants.
Haufiku encouraged other regions to invite the training centre to bring similar programmes to their constituencies.
Youth funding opportunities
Kavango East Regional Council chairperson Damian Maghambayi, who delivered the keynote address, called on young people to take the opportunity seriously and with commitment.
“This is your chance to gain qualifications in areas like hospitality, tourism or IT, and walk into a councillor’s office to say, ‘I’m ready, sponsor me,’” he said.
Maghambayi reminded participants of constituency-based youth funding opportunities and urged them to bring forward ideas instead of waiting for the government to take the lead.
“Don’t wait. Be the one who says, ‘I want to go to Brazil to learn how nails are made.’ We’ll support you. But you must show initiative,” he added.
Among those excited to begin the programme is Anna Ndondi, who applied for office administration training.
“I’m really passionate about office work,” she said. “I did computer science in high school, so I think this will be a great opportunity to build on that.”
The workshop is expected to run until mid-July, with participants ranging in age from 18 to 52 years old.
The workshop, which kicked off yesterday, is spearheaded by Ezze Training College in collaboration with the National Youth Council (NYC), local town and constituency councils and other stakeholders.
The training offers practical and theoretical lessons in areas such as office administration, hospitality, tourism, leadership and computer literacy.
Speaking to Namibian Sun during Monday's official registration day, Ezze Training College founder Lydia Haufiku said the overwhelming turnout reflects the desperate need among Namibian youth to gain employable skills and escape the trap of unemployment.
"We’ve received about 1 780 applicants so far, and the number is still growing,” she confirmed.
“There is high demand because young people want to be skilled, employable or self-employed.”
High demand
Haufiku said the centre chose to focus on the Kavango East and West regions due to high rates of teenage pregnancy, unemployment and gender-related challenges.
“We are trying to offer these young people a way out, a chance to create better lives for themselves.”
The training is taking place at the gender and youth office in Rundu, with classrooms arranged to manage the high number of participants.
Haufiku encouraged other regions to invite the training centre to bring similar programmes to their constituencies.
Youth funding opportunities
Kavango East Regional Council chairperson Damian Maghambayi, who delivered the keynote address, called on young people to take the opportunity seriously and with commitment.
“This is your chance to gain qualifications in areas like hospitality, tourism or IT, and walk into a councillor’s office to say, ‘I’m ready, sponsor me,’” he said.
Maghambayi reminded participants of constituency-based youth funding opportunities and urged them to bring forward ideas instead of waiting for the government to take the lead.
“Don’t wait. Be the one who says, ‘I want to go to Brazil to learn how nails are made.’ We’ll support you. But you must show initiative,” he added.
Among those excited to begin the programme is Anna Ndondi, who applied for office administration training.
“I’m really passionate about office work,” she said. “I did computer science in high school, so I think this will be a great opportunity to build on that.”
The workshop is expected to run until mid-July, with participants ranging in age from 18 to 52 years old.
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