Young artisans to renovate government houses
The initiative has sent out hope and positive energy to hundreds of unemployed artisans countrywide.
Works and Transport Minister John Mutorwa handed over four dilapidated government houses for renovations to the Association of Unemployed Artisans and Skills Development Hub in Namibia.
Mutorwa while handing over the houses in Windhoek said the association which has over 5000 unemployed members has signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry to give young artisans an opportunity to participate and benefit from the government’s capital projects.
For the four houses, the association will use 53 young artisans whose outputs according to Mutorwa will determine whether government can start to directly work with the association or continue to put projects on public tender.
“We are giving you this opportunity once-off, but if you utilize it well and deliver then you will create more opportunities for you and others. This is a test, a pilot project, if you fail then you have closed bigger opportunities for you and others. Use your skills and education practically and give us quality work,” he said.
Quality control
He pleaded with government officials who will be supervising the project to be more hands-on and help groom the young artisans.
“Without compromising on quality, keep in mind that these are young people, recent graduates with less experience. Do not wait for them to fail so you can report that they are not good but rather help them, guide them and uplift them every step of the way so that they learn and deliver standard and quality work,” Mutorwa advised.
The initiative came after the association reached out to Mutorwa, earlier this year, requesting the ministry which is the custodian for government capital projects to create opportunities for their members, most of whom have been home without jobs for over five years now.
Chairman of the association, Florian Mwetulundila, in his acceptance speech, said the initiative has sent out hope and positive energy to hundreds of unemployed artisans countrywide. - Nampa
Mutorwa while handing over the houses in Windhoek said the association which has over 5000 unemployed members has signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry to give young artisans an opportunity to participate and benefit from the government’s capital projects.
For the four houses, the association will use 53 young artisans whose outputs according to Mutorwa will determine whether government can start to directly work with the association or continue to put projects on public tender.
“We are giving you this opportunity once-off, but if you utilize it well and deliver then you will create more opportunities for you and others. This is a test, a pilot project, if you fail then you have closed bigger opportunities for you and others. Use your skills and education practically and give us quality work,” he said.
Quality control
He pleaded with government officials who will be supervising the project to be more hands-on and help groom the young artisans.
“Without compromising on quality, keep in mind that these are young people, recent graduates with less experience. Do not wait for them to fail so you can report that they are not good but rather help them, guide them and uplift them every step of the way so that they learn and deliver standard and quality work,” Mutorwa advised.
The initiative came after the association reached out to Mutorwa, earlier this year, requesting the ministry which is the custodian for government capital projects to create opportunities for their members, most of whom have been home without jobs for over five years now.
Chairman of the association, Florian Mwetulundila, in his acceptance speech, said the initiative has sent out hope and positive energy to hundreds of unemployed artisans countrywide. - Nampa
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