The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) is consulting stakeholders in Mariental on a draft Micro-Credentials Policy Framework aimed at ensuring that short courses are recognised, quality-assured and aligned with Namibia's National Qualifications Framework.
The proposed policy seeks to expand access to flexible learning opportunities, enabling Namibians to acquire skills, reskill and upskill in response to changing labour market demands.
The Namibia Qualifications Authority is seeking stakeholder input on a proposed national policy that could change how short courses and skills-based training programmes are recognised in Namibia.
The consultations, held in Mariental on Wednesday, brought together government representatives, education and training institutions, regulators and industry stakeholders to discuss how micro-credentials can support employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.
Officially opening the meeting, Hardap Governor Riaan McNab said technological advancement, digitalisation and automation were changing the skills required by employers, making it necessary for Namibia's education and training systems to respond.
McNab identified digital technologies, renewable energy, green hydrogen, healthcare, and the oil and gas sector as areas where micro-credentials could support skills development.
"Micro-credentials should complement traditional qualifications while providing additional opportunities for people to learn, reskill and upskill throughout their lives."
NQA Manager for Evaluation of Qualifications, Joseph Shonghela, explained that the initiative followed research by a Southern African consortium known as POMISA, which explored the potential of introducing micro-credentials in the region.
Shonghela said the research identified an opportunity to introduce micro-credentials in Namibia, leading to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture mandating the NQA to spearhead the process.
He said an inter-agency technical working group was subsequently established to develop a national policy framework.
" The policy aims to ensure that short courses are registered, accredited and recognised so that employers can understand and value the skills people have acquired."
An independent consultant contracted by GIZ also presented key provisions of the draft policy, highlighting the need for a common definition of micro-credentials, clear quality assurance requirements and links to the National Qualifications Framework through appropriate levels and credits.
The consultations are expected to contribute to refining the draft policy into a framework that protects the integrity of the national qualifications system while expanding opportunities for flexible learning, reskilling and upskilling.