The ||Kharas Region residents want assurance whether the micro-credentials will be recognised, affordable and accessible to everyone.
They have raised these concerns during a consultation by the Namibia Qualification Authority (NQA) on the Draft National Policy on Microcredentials at Keetmanshoop.
The NQA in partnership with GIZ held a meeting to gather recommendations on the proposed framework that will help individuals gain skills through NQA's registered short courses.
Trainees can use the accredited certificate for employment opportunities or apply to other institutions to upskill themselves.
Sophia Motinga is a member of the ||Kharas Settled Farmers Association.
"Sometimes we see these things online, but we cannot see whether the micro credentials are registered by NQA or not, but we apply, and most of the time we lose our money through that which is unregistered, so the technical team must use the media available to us, like the radios, which are the most reachable media that are accessible to everyone."
The facilitator, Sybil Ferris, explained that the responsibilities of the NQA and training providers are to ensure that micro-credentials meet quality standards and are accessible to their target communities.
"It depends on the scope of the microcredentials and who it aims to target, so it is for the rural communities. Then the quality assurance arrangements and requirements of the NQA will ask the question, 'How will you reach them?' and 'How will this training be offered?' Will it be offered online, or will you go to them or use public facilities and community facilities? And that is all part of the quality assurance requirements before that microcredential is registered on the framework."
||Kharas Governor Dawid Gertze emphasised the importance of the micro credentials.
"Our young people need more than certificates; our lives should not end with certificates, but we need to be relevant, practical and marketable, and these are the skills that need to be set that will eventually translate into employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods. We must recognise that formal qualifications alone may not always be sufficient in an economy where industry requirements are constantly evolving."
He further said it can help unlock opportunities in sectors such as digital technology, renewable energy, green hydrogen, health care, agriculture and emerging oil and gas and promote self-employment.