Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, has encouraged learners not to look down on vocational training education, saying the unemployment rate among people who graduate from vocational centres is low.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was speaking at the opening of Ritja Career fair at Omaruru.
Themed "Education in Science and Technology Advance Real World and the Promotion of Vocational Training Centres to Fill the Gap in a Namibian Labour Market", the career fair provides guidance to learners as they prepare for tertiary education.
It also gives them an opportunity to network with people in their desired professions and make the right choices.
Government on an annual basis allocates more than N$200 million towards internships at government institutions.
The Prime Minister explains that government only requires experience where a position is of a supervisory nature.
She has however encouraged young people to consider vocational training education.
"I have observed people repeating, year in and year out just because they want to meet the requirements to be enrolled at a university because they don't want to go to VTCs because they fear being seen as the not so talented. That is not the case, in fact, we have observed that unemployment is lower amongst graduates from TVETs because these people are provided with practical skills and even though those that cannot be employed by established institutions, have the skills to become self-employed. You see them going around doing carpentry and plumbing and tiling and so forth being subcontracted by large companies, so I really want to encourage you to take up studies at these institutions".
She said for young people who want to venture into business, the government has a business support facility to assist them with start-up capital.
|Khomas Governor, Laura McLeod-Katjirua is the Patron of the Ritja Career Fair.
I host the strongest belief and conviction that our times and circumstances must produce that needed responsible and productive citizens to drive our national development objectives to the ultimate attainment of our vision, 2030, McLeod-Katjirua said.
Speakers reminded the private sector to continue investing in education, saying their prosperity lies in it.
Ritja career fair was launched 10 years ago and is hosted annually in different towns.