TJIPENANDJAMBI KUHANGATHE Bank of Namibia has set aside N$4,5 million towards the Namibia Training Authority’ apprenticeship programme, for three years.
This amount will cater for the cost of 50 apprenticeship programmes in highly sought-after occupations in the priority areas of agriculture, tourism and auto-mechanics.
At a media briefing by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) at the agreement’s signing ceremony yesterday, the two institutions outlined that the contribution will go towards training the apprentices, and giving them allowances.
The programme is also a platform to ease employment costs on employers in order to maximise access and exposure to industry-relevant technology and work practices for eligible apprentices.
The programme is aimed at improving the quality of artisans emerging from the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector.
This is because the TVET sector is considered as an enabler of economic growth through skills development and employment- creation.
The apprenticeship programme is also a timely intervention aimed at accelerating the process of producing high-quality artisans for industry.
BoN’s deputy governor, Ebson Uanguta, said he is a firm believer in the upliftment of Namibians.
“This strong commitment is demonstrated through the realignment of our corporate social investment and responsibility strategy to focus on the TVET sector,” he noted.
BoN will be providing bursaries to TVET trainers to upgrade their skills, and offer job attachments to TVET trainees at the bank.
Uanguta said this way, they will be assisting the government in its endeavour to make the TVET sector attractive to the Namibian youth, and ultimately improve the quality of training.
The apprentices will be contacted by participating employers, and assigned to experienced mentors to induct them and train them on the job in specific occupations.
It was also indicated that the programme is scheduled in such a way that the apprentices will gain the much-needed skills through industry exposure.
Meanwhile, it will be complemented by theoretical training at identified vocational training centres for agreed periods to guarantee a sound blend between theory and practice.
NTA chief executive officer Jerry Beukes said any initiative in the TVET sector that they embark on is industry-driven.
“It is, therefore, our ongoing initiative towards changing and transforming our TVET system for the better. It remains of utmost importance that we secure the resources and solicit the necessary support to ensure the apprenticeship programme’s sustainability over the medium to long-term,” he added.
Beukes said the sector is steadily emerging as a global front-runner in driving national development agendas, such as addressing youth unemployment, improving firm-level productivity, enhancing national economic competitiveness, and accelerating the shift to a knowledge-based society.
He added that at the NTA, they value the role structured TVET apprenticeship can play in developing the competencies of individuals, and in nurturing their ability to apply knowledge and skills to the tasks and demands of the workplace.
“Apprenticeship is a powerful vehicle for developing the skills of potential employees and existing employees, improving productivity, and profitability,” he said.
The programme will also help apprentices improve their communication, problem-solving, interpersonal and teamwork skills which employers regard highly.
Apprenticeship also creates an ideal opportunity for any participating employer to inculcate a work ethic, the right attitude, and a productivity mindset, which cannot be easily acquired at a training institution, he reiterated.
The chief executive promised that they will manage the funds donated to them with transparency, accountability and in a very responsible manner.
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