Mariental:The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) is in the process of developing a national policy to formally recognize short courses and practical skills, aiming to enhance educational and employment opportunities for Namibians lacking traditional qualifications. The draft Micro-Credentials Policy was the focus of a stakeholder consultation held in Mariental on Wednesday, where it was discussed as a framework for the quality assurance and recognition of short learning programs under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

According to Namibia Press Agency, NQA Manager for Evaluation of Qualifications Joseph Shonghela stated that the policy would allow for the formal recognition of skills gained through short courses, facilitating employers in assessing the competencies of prospective employees. This initiative is a result of research by the Potential of Micro-Credentials in Southern Africa (POMISA) consortium, which examined micro-credentials' introduction in the region, including Namibia.

The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has tasked the NQA with leading the policy development process, forming a multi-stakeholder technical working group. The proposed framework is designed to create opportunities for Namibians, irrespective of their age or employment status, by recognizing skills obtained outside traditional education pathways.

However, attendees at the consultation expressed concerns about the proposed framework's accessibility, particularly for unemployed individuals, informal workers, rural communities, and entrepreneurs with practical skills but no recognized qualifications. Questions were raised about how the policy would ensure these groups benefit from skill recognition rather than favoring those already in formal education.

Participants advocated for the involvement of higher education institutions, such as the University of Namibia, to guarantee consistent recognition of micro-credentials and to establish pathways to further qualifications. Hardap Governor Riaan McNab, who officially opened the consultation, remarked that the proposed policy could help Namibia adapt to changing labor market demands by enabling the acquisition of specialized skills over shorter durations.

McNab emphasized that micro-credentials are meant to complement, not replace, traditional qualifications by offering additional opportunities for learning, reskilling, upskilling, and lifelong progression. He highlighted the need for the proposed framework to ensure that short courses meet quality standards and that the acquired skills are credible, verifiable, and relevant to the labor market.