By: Loise Shiimi
//Kharas Region has become the 12th region to host its own vocational centre after the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre (VTC) was inaugurated.
The N$127,4 million centre, which took around 9 years to construct, was officially inaugurated yesterday.
The Keetmanshoop VTC currently offers a range of courses, including Water Supply, Sanitation and Desalination (Levels 1 to 5), Solar Equipment Installation and Maintenance (Levels 1 to 5), Electrical Engineering (Levels 2 to 5), Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Levels 2 to 5), Welding and Fabrication/Coded Welding (Levels 4 to 5), and Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (Levels 4 to 5).
Furthermore, additional programs aligned with the standards of the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO) are said to be in development, covering Health and Safety, Rigging and Lifting Operations, Electrical Industrial for Oil and Gas, and Mechanical Maintenance for Oil and Gas.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sanet Steenkamp, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, explained that the 9-year construction was executed in two phases, made possible through funding from the African Development Bank.
“The first phase received N$11,8 million, while the second phase was supported by an additional N$103 million. The second phase also included extra amenities such as a canteen and housing for caretakers, bringing the total cost of the project to N$127,4 million,” clarified Steenkamp.
The groundbreaking for the VTC took place in 2016, with construction commencing the following year. The current infrastructure at the Keetmanshoop VTC includes a guardhouse and entrance gate, an administration building, a classroom block, male and female changing rooms, and four state-of-the-art workshops. It also has a hostel accommodating 140 learners.
Additionally, the centre features a sewage treatment plant and a 30-metre-high water tower. Steenkamp also outlined the site’s potential for future development, stating that “Given the plot size and availability of funding resources, we will consider establishing additional workshops and classrooms for medium to long-term expansion.”
During the ceremony, Vice President Lucia Witbooi reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing vocational training centres across all 14 regions of Namibia as part of the national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector transformation and expansion strategy.
“The //Kharas Region is now the twelfth region to host its own government vocational training centre. The establishment of the Keetmanshoop VTC is strategically positioned to enhance access to quality and equitable training opportunities for the people of //Kharas Region and beyond,” noted Witbooi.
Witbooi further remarked that this initiative demonstrates the government’s dedication to cultivating a vibrant and responsive national TVET sector, highlighting the importance of technical and vocational skills in national development.
“By 2030, the TVET sector aims to increase the proportion of graduates whose skills align with industry needs from 65% to 70%, thereby enhancing its responsiveness to labour market demands,” she indicated.
Moreover, the Vice President noted that institutions like the Keetmanshoop VTC will play a crucial role in achieving this national target by equipping youth with practical and industry-relevant competencies necessary for emerging sectors such as green hydrogen, oil and gas, and modern agriculture.
