• Youth

Kraatz takes in more NIMT students

Kraatz Engineering - a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group - has taken in more Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) students, as part of its successful internship programme.

The programme aids students to develop their knowledge and skills, and prepares them for a real working environment.

According to Kraatz human capital manager Roberto January, the programme, which started in 2011 enables students to do their job attachment and gain practical experience to prepare them for the job market. “Students get exposure in the industrial and mining division, the workshop and also in the marine and offshore division, where they get exposure to the ship repair industry.

“Generally students taken on board by Kraatz from NIMT specialise in boilermaking, welding, and fitting and turning.

“These students are mentored and coached by master craftsmen that have worked in the engineering sector for many years and possess a wealth of experience locally and internationally.

“It is of utmost importance and we are keen on developing young Namibians to afford them the opportunity to gain practical experience to better prepare them for the job market, and at the same time contribute to our country’s development and Vision 2030,” January said.

Nine new NIMT students were welcomed into Kraatz internship programme.

One of them is 21-year-old Maxwell Diergaardt, who specialises in fitting and turning (level one).

“I am very happy and excited to be here at Kraatz Marine. I work with awesome people. I am growing so much as a person and in my profession. My people skills are also improving tremendously, and I am extremely excited with the skills I am acquiring here,” he said.

Hafeni Shikulo specialises in boilermaking (level one) and has been a NIMT student since March 2018.

“I feel proud and fortunate to be part of the Kraatz team. Things are going really well with me, and the work environment is absolutely inspiring. The Kraatz team is as awesome bunch of people, and I get good exposure for my trade,” Shikulo said.

O&L Group director for human capital, Berthold Mukuahima, said: “If we as business Namibia do not support government in growing this nation, by doing what we can to develop and nurture, we can forget about growing stronger as a nation.

“Skills development is a critical pillar in government’s Harambee Prosperity Plan, and indeed can contribute significantly to curbing the high unemployment rate, and reducing poverty levels.”