Ambassadors for Pupkewitz Motors

JUSTISIA SHIPENA
Octavia Tsibes

Pupkewitz Motors recently held its fifth round of trainee induction in Windhoek. Eight trainees, of which majority were women, completed their training and were put under the care of their mentors.

“We believe in empowering young people to be better than us; that is the only way to really establish true leaders,” said Joseph Khariseb, human resource manager at Pupkewitz Motors.

Khariseb said further that it is important for true Namibian companies, regardless of the situation, to always find the means to invest in the upcoming generation. “The trainees are graduates from higher-learning institutions and the programme provides them with a platform to practise their skills and to transform them to occupy senior positions,” said Ettienne Steenkamp, deputy managing director of Pupkewitz Motors.

Rebecca Kapofi, a junior sales trainee at Pupkewitz Toyota Automark, said the programme allows them to get out of their comfort zone, which forces them to learn.

Kapofi, who is a finance graduate said: “Even though I was not sure I will excel in sales, I was prepared to learn, explore and challenge myself professionally.”

She added that there were always helping hands, but it was up to her to set the rules and stay focused.