Namibia can position itself better for the challenges of today’s interconnected world by having robust Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems, capable of producing workers with the relevant skills.
This is according to Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Minister, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi at the launch of the WorldSkills Africa 2022 at Swakopmund on Friday, where she highlighted that: “It is against this background that Namibia’s Harambee Prosperity Plan, specifically, advocates for TVET skills competitions as a platform through which to promote and enhance awareness about technical and vocational careers.”
WorldSkills Africa 2022 is set to take place on 28 March – 01 April 2022 at Swakopmund and provides a platform for young African talents to come together and showcase their skills and become masters of craftsmanship.
Kandjii-Murangi also said the hosting of skills competitions serve as an excellent platform to highlight the importance of technical and vocational skills, more so in today’s increasingly globalised economy.
Hosting this continental showpiece and capacity building platform, not only aligns with Africa’s Agenda 2063, but it also aligns with Namibia’s national long-term strategic endeavour to leverage the potential of the Technical Vocational Education and Training sector, she said.
“The rise of the Internet, including the Internet of Things and the advances in Artificial Intelligence have accelerated the pace of globalisation and business transformation,” the minister added.
Jerry Beukes, Programme Manager for GIZ-ProVET, who are funding partners, noted that since its conceptualisation in 2012, the ProVET project on behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, under the umbrella GIZ Namibia the Namibian TVET system is increasingly geared towards the needs of the labour market.
Close to N.dollars 150 million has been committed towards the event.
European Union Ambassador to Namibia Ambassador Sinikka Antila who also spoke at the occasion said the event is an important step towards the recognition of TVET as a major actor of socio-economic development, even more so in this period of a global pandemic, where technical skills development will be key for the economic recovery.
Next year’s event, the second of its kind, will host 113 competitors from 12 African countries including Namibia who will partake in 15 skills areas and six broad skills.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
