Fostering vocational training

At its vocational training centre NamPower offers two vocational courses: electrical general and mechanical; and fitting and turning, not just for their employees but open to anyone. The NamPower Vocational Training Centre has been in existence since 1985 when the then South West Africa Water and Electricity Corporation (SWAWEK) introduced vocational training for its employees. The first intake was five electrical trainees and three fitting-and-turning trainees but the intake has been increased to 15. The centre was officially inaugurated in 1990. The two courses offered at the centre are offered at three levels, with an artisan development programme. “When our trainees pass the first two levels they obtain a certificate and when they are in their final level they are put on a six-month artisan's programme,” says NamPower's manager for education, training and development, Mercy Situmbeko. The centre only has one intake per year. The centre has an artisan's development programme to ensure that their trainees have the relevant experience before they are absorbed by the job market. “After their third year we offer our trainees a two- to three-year artisan programme that will equip them with experience needed by employers,” Situmbeko says. Situmbeko says the NamPower Vocational Training Centre is registered and conforms to the regulations of the Namibia Training Authority (NTA). “NTA is the governing body of all vocational training centres and thus our curriculum has to conform to their regulations.” The centre's curriculum is also recognised and accredited with the Namibia Qualification Authority (NQA). “The curriculum taught at the NamPower vocational training centre is according to what the NQA and NTA approves,” Situmbeko says. The centre has a low intake because it is about producing quality, not quantity. “A lot of people ask us why we have a lower intake of students, but that is what separates us from other vocational training centres,” says Situmbeko. She says it because of this that every trainee at the centre has their own work space and tools, adding that the transfer of knowledge and skills is practical at the NamPower Vocational Centre. “We ensure that whatever our trainees are being taught they get to do it practically and not just observe,” she said. The centre sends out application forms at the beginning of the year because by that time most students have received their grade 12 results and can decide which institution they wish to enrol at. Situmbeko further attributed having fewer trainees as the reason why the centre has a 95% to 100% pass rate each year and that the centre is open to new ways of doing things which strengthens innovation. “Our instructors at the NamPower Vocational Centre are highly experienced and are able to impart practical knowledge to the trainees.” Instructor Piet Viviers says the centre believes in the application of knowledge, trial and error. “At our vocational school we do not just teach trainees how to do it but we also show them how to do it and assess them,” says Viviers. The trainees enrolled at the centre are not just employees of NamPower but everyone else is welcome to apply, provided that they meet the requirements. “To be enrolled at the NamPower Vocational Training Centre, one has to have a grade 12 certificate and obtain a C or a better symbol in mathematics, English and physical science,” Situmbeko explains. In 2015 one of the trainees at NamPower was chosen to represent Namibia at the Word Skills Competition which took place in Brazil. “The world skills competition is literally like the Olympics of vocational skills and it made us proud that one of our trainees was the one selected to represent Namibia at a competition of that magnitude,” Situmbeko says proudly. This year, two electrical trainees from the NamPower Vocational Training Centre have been chosen to go to Dubai to represent Namibia at the world skills competition. “This is just proof that we are doing something right at our vocational training centre,” says Viviers. Viviers says the centre is contributing to the fight against unemployment in the country as they do not just train their trainees to be employees but also to be job creators. Viviers maintains that vocational training is about transferring knowledge and skills to people so that they may be able to meet labour market needs, fuelling competitiveness while reducing youth unemployment. Situmbeko maintains that NamPower has realised the importance of vocational training and the company offers scholarships to the trainees at the NamPower Training Centre. “We offer scholarships to our trainees because we value vocational training.” In 2002 the centre changed from the old apprenticeship to a vocational bursary where NamPower allocates 15 bursaries annually to the trainees. “When you are accepted at the NamPower Vocational Training Centre, NamPower pays for your studies, apart from accommodation but the company does provide some allowances,” says Situmbeko. At first the trainees were employees of NamPower on the old apprenticeship scheme but today they are bursary holders. If positions exist in the company the trainees are put on a two-year or three-year artisan's development programme. “In most cases these trainees are employed by NamPower on a full-time basis,” Situmbeko says. Situmbeko believes that vocational training is good for the country because it equips young people with skills that put them in a position to join the mainstream of nation-building. “Once the youth get vocational training, their main aim of getting a job will be fulfilled and many problems will be fulfilled,” she says. Situmbeko calls on the youth to value vocational training and have a genuine interest in vocational courses because these types of courses empower them to not just secure employment but equip them with entrepreneurial skills. “Namibia is in need of people with various vocational competencies,” she says. Situmbeko also calls on Namibian youth to not give up on their dreams just because they did poorly in grade 12, because they can use vocational training centres as stepping stones to gain experience and skills that are needed in the job market. “People should do away with the mentality of thinking that vocational schools are for failures,” Situmbeko emphasises.MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Fostering vocational training

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-08

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Fostering vocational training

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-08

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