By: Rodney Pienaar
The Namibia Training Authority has paid out a total amount of N$145.7 million for employer training grant claims from the period between September and December last year, chief executive officer of NTA Jerry Beukes said this week.
Pending ongoing validation and evaluation, significant growth in claim payouts under the 2016/17 and 2017/18 cycles are projected for the last quarter, he said.
“The authority has managed to successfully pay out claims with regards to ETG. Given the current economic downturn, the registration of 10 new employers for purposes of the VET Levy is an encouraging development,” he said.
He added that that the key priority grant’s medium to longer-term funding commitments also remain strategically sound and aligned with industry needs and the country’s macro-economic development goals.
“NTA recognises solid quarter-on-quarter growth recorded under each of VET Levy’s key components and collection is efficient and rigorous. Given the current economic downturn, the registration of 10 new employers for purposes of the VET Levy is an encouraging development,” he said.
Furthermore, NTA has paid out a total amount of N$24 067 026 in employer training grants during the 2016/17 financial year for 5 642 claims.
“Claim pay-outs subject to training courses being VET related, valid evidence documentation, no outstanding interest and/or penalties, as well as claims not exceeding the 50% claim ceiling were paid out. We anticipate a good number of claims to be paid out under the cycle over next few months,” Beukes said.
He added that eligible employers continue to register and collection figures continue to grow year on year and ongoing VET Levy implementation progress can largely be ascribed to unyielding support of registered employers.
Furthermore NTA will be expanding Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) countrywide at a cost of about N$564 913 750.
“We do not see the need to construct new centers because we already have existing ones on the ground. This will enable the centers to improve trainee intake. This plan will not only apply to some of the vocational training centers but all of them as far as expansion is concerned,” said Beukes.
