Private VTCs need support to fill skills gap

RUNDU – The founder of Ngato Vocational Training Centre in Rundu says private entities need support to equip Namibians with vocational skills needed to develop the country and create jobs.

Ngato VTC is located in Rundu’s Kehemu location.

“We are grateful for the accreditation from the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the recognition by the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), as support from stakeholders gives us the opportunity to do extremely well. The skills we offer as a private VTC are needed by this country to fill the skills gap,” said John Fernando.

Ngato VTC now has over 160 trainees, has been in existence for eight years, and has been working on their accreditation status as required for a private institution for their trainees to have recognised qualifications once they have completed and enter the job market.

“We have maintained accreditation in the trades we offer training in, for instance, in general electric we have accreditation from level one to three; welding level two to three; and office administration level one to three. Just recently, we have been accredited by the NQA to offer level four office administration,” he enthused.

“It now means that we can also train those who have previously graduated with level three and are in the job market and need to improve their qualification,” Fernando added.

He said government vocational institutions alone can’t cater for everyone in need, hence the need to develop private ones to drive the government’s agenda of skills development.

“Ngato VTC recently held a week-long free short course, which benefited several members of the Rundu community. They received training in welding, general electric and office administration. This was all about attracting the attention of our community for them to see what we offer here, and we gave them certificates of attendance,” said Vinsent Kanyetu, a board member of Ngato VTC.

“Those interested in training but unable to come up with tuition fees can approach the centre, and we can see how to help them. As a nation, we should be proud of Ngato VTC, which is the brainchild of a local youth that is skills transformation driven,” Kanyetu observed.

“At least we have our own Namibian youth who has come up with this noble idea,” he continued.