The Kunene Vocational Training Centre is expected to open for its first intake in June.

This was announced by the Namibia Training Authority's TVET Standards Manager, Amon Haufiku, during a consultative meeting with the community at Khorixas.

Although construction at the centre is not yet fully completed, Haufiku said about 100 trainees and staff members are expected to occupy different workshops and classrooms in June.

Construction of the centre started in 2018, but it was delayed by the challenges brought by the outbreak of COVID-19.

"There are currently only four workshops that they are constructing, which are for air conditioning and refrigeration, plumbing and pipe fitting, bricklaying and plastering, and then the last one, joinery and cabinet making. These workshops were constructed based on those occupations. So one cannot come and change to say; maybe one wants to replace this with another one. Those new programmes can be considered for future programmes."

The second phase is the construction of hostel blocks, and a shopping list for future programmes that will facilitate self-employment has been shared with regional leaders. 

Kunene Governor Marius Sheya looks forward to the opening of the centre.

"We are excited. I think we have waited for this too long. If you remember very well, this was a headache. It came to a point where it almost divided the region. There were quite a lot of issues going on, but at the end of the day, this is why we are leaders, and this is why we have been entrusted by the government to make decisions. I'm happy that VTC is standing, and it's a big investment." 

Sheya stressed that the entry-level job postings at the centre are capped for the locals. 

Khorixas Town Council was implored to avail land or partner with private investors to set up accommodation facilities for the imminently growing population.