The Erongo Regional Governor has called for the immediate repurposing of the abandoned 'yellow building' in Omaruru into a technical and vocational education and training centre.

Stakeholders gathered this week to chart a clear path towards turning the facility into a fully operational TVET centre.

After standing unused for more than 23 years, the 'yellow building' in Omaruru is set to become a centre of skills.

The Erongo Governor Nathalia |Goagoses said there is no justification for allowing a government-funded education facility to remain idle while thousands of young Namibians are desperate for skills training.

"A government resource that was built for educational purposes and has been standing idle for 23 years is a big no to all of us in this room and in Namibia. While we have got so much big demand from young people to get training in this republic of Namibia."

She announced that a technical committee has been established to fast-track licensing, certification and operational readiness, with a strict deadline set for March.

|Goagoses warned that authorities would be failing the nation if the facility remains unused any longer, as Namibia prepares for growth in mining, oil and gas, renewable energy and tourism.

"Vision 2030 says Namibia shall become an industrialised country. We will not, through magic, become industrialised if we do not have masses of skilled, highly knowledgeable Namibians."

The Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology has pledged technical support, saying the demand for vocational training far exceeds current capacity.

The Ministry of Education highlighted that schools in Erongo already offer pre-vocational subjects, creating a pipeline into TVET training.

The Namibia Training Authority confirmed that regulatory processes can be completed within 45 days if all stakeholders cooperate.

If timelines are met, the repurposed Omaruru TVET centre is expected to open later this year, providing accessible, market-driven skills training for Namibian youth.