ZONE: Graduates struggle to find jobs amid graduation season

Discord between education and economy
Namibia continues to produce thousands of graduates every year, but many struggle to find jobs. This has raised concern about the growing gap between education and employment
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 1 Day Ago

Access to higher education has improved, and more universities and learning institutions are producing graduates each year. However, many young people feel the job market is not growing fast enough to absorb them.

As a result, more graduates are leaving university with qualifications but remain unemployed for long periods. This has raised questions about how well education aligns with real job opportunities.

Public policy analyst Marius Kudumo said both university education and vocational training are important, and that better planning is needed to reduce unemployment.

“Vocational training is critical for any country. Skills are critical for any country. Countries that are developed and globally competitive, whether you look at China or Germany, balance the two. University graduates bring needed skills, while vocational training produces essential technical skills. It is critical not only to speak about it, but also to demonstrate it through investment in and expansion of vocational training.

“Unless we understand this and have proper short-, medium- and long-term planning around which sectors will drive the country’s development, and redirect training accordingly, we will continue to face graduate unemployment. Proper coordination and coherence between institutions are essential,” he said.

He added that graduate unemployment would persist if education and economic planning are not aligned.


Worries

Many graduates across the country say they are worried about their future after completing their studies, as finding employment remains difficult.

Lucia Jason, who recently graduated from the Namibia University of Science and Technology with a degree in communication, said she expected life to become easier after university.

“I was very happy when I finished my studies. I thought I would quickly find a job. But now it has been difficult. I have applied many times, but I am still waiting. Sometimes it feels like having a degree is not enough if you do not have experience or connections,” she said.

Kams Kamuhamba, who holds a Bachelor of Accounting Honours and a Bachelor of Business Management Honours from the same university, said that although he is employed, he understands the frustrations many graduates face in the broader job market.

“I am fortunate to be working, but I see what many graduates are going through, and it is not easy. Even with strong qualifications, many young people are still struggling to enter the job market. It shows that having a degree alone is not always enough, and that experience and opportunities also matter,” he said.

Their experiences reflect a broader national concern. Despite holding qualifications, many young graduates continue to face uncertainty, highlighting the need for stronger links between education and employment opportunities.