Twenty-one unemployed young people from the Dâures Constituency are benefiting from a four-week technical youth bootcamp aimed at equipping them with practical skills, promoting entrepreneurship and creating employment opportunities.

The UIS IGNITE Technical Youth Bootcamp brings together participants from Uis, Okombahe and Omatjete, with training focusing on hospitality and tourism, as well as content creation and media.

The four-week pilot programme, which runs until 29 November, is designed to equip participants with practical, marketable skills that can help them establish their own businesses, generate income and contribute to economic development in their communities.

Event Coordinator Soini Ndinomuameni says the initiative seeks to demonstrate how proper training, mentorship and business opportunities can transform the lives of unemployed young people.

"The UIS IGNITE Technical Youth Bootcamp is a pilot project, and we intend it to prove something: that when unemployed youth are given real training, real mentors and a real path, they build real businesses."

The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Namibia Film Commission and COSDEC as the main facilitators with additional contributions from Gondwana Academy, NamRA and BIPA.

The initiative has also received corporate support from Damaran Exploration, which says investing in youth development is key to building stronger and more sustainable communities.

"Investing in youth development is investing in a better tomorrow. By providing opportunities for young people to learn new skills, build confidence, develop leadership qualities and work together to achieve their goals, we are investing in their future. As a sponsor, we are proud to support initiatives that empower young people and contribute to positive community development," stated Logistics and HSE Office at Damaran Exploration, Himezembi Ngupandjara.

Dâures Constituency, Administrative Officer Mauritius Goseb, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Labour Relations and Dâures Constituency Councillor emphasised that youth skills development remains critical in addressing unemployment, fighting poverty and empowering young people to become self-reliant.

"Technical and digital skills development is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat poverty, curb youth unemployment and restore dignity to our people. By equipping these 21 young individuals with practical, market-ready capabilities, we are handing them the keys to self-reliance, enterprise creation and employment," said Goseb.