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Innovation through TVET

Elizabeth Joseph

Although the competition was delayed because of some unforeseen circumstances, the ball has started rolling.

Namibia, through the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), is a member of WorldSkills International (WSI).

WSI is a non-political organisation that promotes skills excellence through the staging of a bi-annual international skills competitions.

It establishes networking and sharing platforms for members to learn from and with one other.

The bi-annual competitions also provide a means of exchange and comparison of competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy, with a solid aim to promote a wide-reaching awareness of the crucial contribution made by skills for the achievement of economic success and stability.

Through the competition held twice a year, WSI attempts to enlighten people about the opportunities existing in skilled professions and encourages young people to explore such opportunities.

The first National Skills Competition was held from 14 to 17 September 2016 at the Ramatex complex in the capital, through the NTA.

It addressed a horde of objectives, including the negative perception of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Namibia, and encouraged more young Namibians to take up technical and vocational career paths.

NTA CEO Jerry Beukes said their goal is to inform their stakeholders of the date of the competition and at the same time publicly acknowledge the sponsors/partners whose generous and patriotic contributions help make this event a reality for all Namibians.

The partners include the European Union (EU), UNESCO, Dinapama, Ohlthaver & List, Coca-Cola, Standard Bank, Afrox, Bank Windhoek, Tulipohamba and the Eenhana and Windhoek vocational training centres, with the list growing by the day.

“The support of these entities not only gives true meaning to the call for increased partnership, but will allow us to maintain the momentum in preparing for Kazan in August,” Beukes said.

The event is composed of three important components, namely the National Skills Competition, the TVET Exposition and the TVET Conference, over the course of three days.

EU ambassador in Namibia, Jana Hybaskova, said their main target group is the learners in areas where training might not be in readily available.

“We are here to partner with the private sector for absolute sustainable development,” she said.

The event at which they were speaking recently served as a platform to thank the sponsors as well as inform the general public of the location and the date of WSI 2019. It also created space for the list of sponsors and partners to grow.

The third WSI will assist in identifying young Namibians who will represent our country at the upcoming World Skills Competition in Kazan later this year in August.