TVET graduates face tough job market

Only 47% of vocational education and training (TVET) graduates found employment in industry in 2024, statistics show, with education minister Sanet Steenkamp admitting that a qualification does not necessarily guarantee an immediate job.“Many doors will be closed right on your face. You will receive many rejection letters,” Steenkamp told the graduates last week. “A qualification alone does not open up employment right away,” she added.Steenkamp was speaking at the Rundu Vocational Training Centre (VTC) on Thursday, where nearly 100 trainees graduated in various fields. She urged them to prepare for rejection and a difficult transition into the workplace, while encouraging them to use their skills to create opportunities for themselves.“I will start with my toolbox. I will start with what I have to see how best to serve my community and the businesses nearby,” she said.Steenkamp said government could not close the employment gap alone and called on industries to provide more opportunities for TVET graduates.“I’m asking the industries to please invite our trainees into your workshops, into your workplaces, and offer them a job,” she said.Training for the futureSteenkamp said government was also working to ensure that TVET programmes keep pace with the skills required by Namibia’s changing economy.“We are committing to introducing programmes in high-demand fields,” she said, pointing to green hydrogen, oil and gas, aquaculture and artificial intelligence.She said government was also looking at ways to support young entrepreneurs through a national training fund for the TVET sector and business incubation, so graduates seeking to establish businesses would not have to do so alone.Steenkamp also challenged graduates to demonstrate the value of their training through quality workmanship.“We believe in you to construct a sports facility, but give us the quality of the workmanship that we need and deserve in our country,” she said.

TVET graduates face tough job market

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-14

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TVET graduates face tough job market

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-14

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