Govt earmarks N$125m for interns
Initiative a mere campaign tool, Venaani says
Companies have been urged to employ graduates to allow them to gain experience.
The government has set aside over N$125 million for intern stipends in a bid to solve Namibia's ever-increasing unemployment rate.
This has been confirmed by Nangula Uaandja, chief executive director of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
“The private sector is encouraged to provide internship opportunities to school-leavers and graduates. The company that provides such an opportunity does not have to pay the intern because the government will pay," she said. She further urged companies to take up graduates to give them an opportunity to gain job experience. "This is one way to curb unemployment."
However, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said the initiative is a mere campaign tool by the Swapo government and that an unemployment grant would be more impactful.
More effective
“How many companies can really absorb these people? So, now you have about 100 companies taking in interns and N$20 million is spent, and the rest is not spent. The small and medium enterprises are not performing well as well. An unemployment grant would be more effective,” he said.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah echoed Venaani's sentiments, adding that an unemployment grant would be more effective as it would help unemployed youths to cater to their basic needs.
He also pointed out that an internship grant would not be sustainable in the long run and that it might become too tedious.
“Work integrated learning is a very important initiative for young people to gain skills, but I am not sure it is sustainable. At the same time, it is good for government to incentivise local companies. In other economies, they put in place an unemployment grant that is directed at those who are actively seeking jobs and it is a good initiative in this tough economy of ours. An unemployment grant can help the unemployed to print out their CVs and travel out of town for job interviews,” he said.
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This has been confirmed by Nangula Uaandja, chief executive director of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
“The private sector is encouraged to provide internship opportunities to school-leavers and graduates. The company that provides such an opportunity does not have to pay the intern because the government will pay," she said. She further urged companies to take up graduates to give them an opportunity to gain job experience. "This is one way to curb unemployment."
However, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said the initiative is a mere campaign tool by the Swapo government and that an unemployment grant would be more impactful.
More effective
“How many companies can really absorb these people? So, now you have about 100 companies taking in interns and N$20 million is spent, and the rest is not spent. The small and medium enterprises are not performing well as well. An unemployment grant would be more effective,” he said.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah echoed Venaani's sentiments, adding that an unemployment grant would be more effective as it would help unemployed youths to cater to their basic needs.
He also pointed out that an internship grant would not be sustainable in the long run and that it might become too tedious.
“Work integrated learning is a very important initiative for young people to gain skills, but I am not sure it is sustainable. At the same time, it is good for government to incentivise local companies. In other economies, they put in place an unemployment grant that is directed at those who are actively seeking jobs and it is a good initiative in this tough economy of ours. An unemployment grant can help the unemployed to print out their CVs and travel out of town for job interviews,” he said.
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