NTA invests N$1.05 million in vocational education

Seven schools receive funding for practical skills development
The funding will help schools improve practical training facilities and expose learners to technical and vocational pathways as Namibia works to close the gap between education and labour market needs.
Jaydene Ambrosini
  • 1 Month Ago

The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) has awarded N$1.05 million in financial support to seven secondary schools to strengthen the delivery of pre-vocational education.

The funding, announced at an event held at the NTA last Thursday, will provide each school with N$150 000 to improve practical learning and support technical skills development.

The beneficiary schools are //Garibams Secondary School (ǁKharas), Haudano Secondary School (Omusati), Namavambi Combined School (Kavango West), Nossob Combined School (Omaheke), Nsundano Secondary School (Zambezi), Oluwaya Combined School (Ohangwena) and Putuavanga Junior Secondary School (Kunene).

Speaking at the Pre-Vocational Education Support Awards, NTA chief executive Erick Fundula Nenghwaya said the initiative aims to address the growing need to bridge the gap between education and labour market requirements.

“We see a paradox of educated but unemployed young people, sometimes with gaps between the skills taught and the skills demanded by the labour market,” he said. “By supporting the delivery of pre-vocational subjects at secondary school level, we are intervening early.”

Nenghwaya said the investment would strengthen collaboration between the education sector and the national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, creating “a seamless pipeline from school to formal training to employment”.

He added that the funding would provide learners with earlier exposure to technical and vocational pathways, improve access to practical training equipment and learning resources, and ensure they gain hands-on experience with workplace tools and technologies.

Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Education Dino Ballotti said the initiative supports the government’s broader objective of improving youth employability and promoting inclusive socio-economic development.

“Our contribution today is directly aligned with the government’s broader objectives of enhancing youth employability, promoting skills development and supporting inclusive socio-economic development,” he said.

Addressing the beneficiary schools, Ballotti said the funding came with responsibility.

“The schools receiving N$150 000 each are tasked with a profound responsibility. They must use these resources to improve the quality of teaching and learning, procure practical equipment and expose learners to the exciting world of technical and vocational careers,” he said.

Encouraging learners to embrace the opportunity, Ballotti said: “The future is yours for the taking. We are investing in you because we believe in you. Use these opportunities to learn, to grow and to dream.”