By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Erastus
After assisting 600 students on a budget of N$7 million, the country Mobile Telecommunication has indicated that it will upscale the programme to a national level.
Last week the mobile operator indicated that together with the Office of the Prime Minister, they have committed to contribute N$2 million annually to upscale the initiative.
“We are now ready to upscale the project to become a national internship vehicle,” said MTC Chief Human Capital, Tim Ekandjo.
He said now the entity seeks partners and various stakeholders to come on board to make it a national programme.
The industry has 48 000 students nationally who are in dire need of internships to graduate.
Due to the inconsiderate nature of employment in the country that asks for the experience even at entry level, a staggering number are required to have some experience before they enter the labour market.
Ekandjoa said internships, in general, the internship programme will answer to the hostile requirements from the industry that only open doors to graduates who have a shoestring of experience.
He indicated that in its journey to upscale the programme, MTC seeks other corporates out there to come on board with a contribution of at least N$200 000.
Ekandjo updated that so far, MTC has thus far identified 53 corporates and called for each corporate to pledge an amount of N$200 000.
“Let us assist these students together so that we better prepare a certified and skilled workforce,” he said.
Should all considered corporates sign the dots, the program will raise an amount of N$14. 4 million per annum, translating to an upscale intake from 160 to 1600 students per annum.
As a result, equipping future employees with the practical know-how of what is required by the economy and integrating practicality in the country’s education system is currently facing heavy criticism for the skill mismatch.
MTC managing director Licky Erastus highlighted that while the program takes stock of its achievements, innovative partnerships will have a bigger impact.
“We are now at a point where we want to carve out a future for the program to see how it can be integrated into the national education goals and structure,” said Erastus.
He said the country has more students who need internships per annum, but unfortunately, the program can only take in 160 per year.
“A number we consider very little if we are to make a significant impact. Therefore, we are urging and calling on more corporates to come on board so that together, as good corporate citizens, we can make a positive difference in this regard,” he said.
Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
