Leaders have called upon the group of graduates at Gobabis Vocational Training Centre to carry the legacy of competence, integrity and services delivery in order to assist the country with achieving its developmental goals.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 183 graduates at Gobabis Vocational Training Center, Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo informed the group that their certificate means more than graduating; it is a statement that the mind has developed, the talent has been discovered, and the preparations to solve real problems in society should commence.

"Your certificate will take you to the interview. The certificate will not give you the job. What will give you the job is any other thing other than the qualification you have gained in the classroom? It's about you, how you project yourself, your integrity, character and all others that the society has not taught you, so learn that."

The Governor, Pijoo Nganate, pointed out that the country's economy depends on people who have the technical ability and skills; therefore, this is essential to the functioning of industries, businesses, farms, local authorities and communities.

"Ask yourself a different set of questions: what problem can I solve with the skills I have acquired? What services are needed in the community? What product can I develop? What can I repair, improve or produce locally instead of depending on services and products from elsewhere? These are the questions that begin to turn technical skills into economic opportunities.

" Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Training Authority, Erick Nenghwanya also witnessed the ceremony. "

Dear graduates, Namibia needs what you can do going to the workplace, with preparation and integrity, going into the community with the willingness to serve, and you go there to serve."

Graduate Alexander Tjazupi acknowledged the challenging journey but emphasised that the vital role of technical skills fuelled their hard work.

"Vocational school is just any institution like other universities; it's not an ending point when you want to study or when you're struggling with upgrading your points, so you come and graduate and get what you want, so there is no such thing as that VTC being only for losers."

The second Gobabis Vocational Training Center graduation ceremony was held under the theme 'A legacy of excellence, a future of possibilities – skills for employability, innovation and nation building'.