Justicia Shipena
The ||Karas region has become the 12th region in Namibia to have a vocational training centre.
On Thursday, vice president Lucia Witbooi inaugurated the centre on Keetmanshoop Vocational Training in Keetmanshoop.
She said the facility reflects the government’s plan to expand access to technical and vocational education.
She stated that the government is strengthening the sector to enhance training quality, broaden access, and align skills with industry requirements.
The government aims to increase the number of graduates whose skills match labour market demand from 65% to 70% by 2030.
Witbooi said the centre will prepare young people for sectors such as green hydrogen, oil and gas and agriculture.
According to her, it will also assist local initiatives, such as plans for irrigation connected to the Neckartal Dam.
She called on stakeholders to support the centre.
Witbooi said the centre will help young people gain skills, enter the workforce and reduce unemployment.
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said the project fills a gap in the region.
She said ||Karas did not have a vocational training centre since independence.
The project was led by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture and the Namibia Training Authority (NTA).
It forms part of a national plan to establish centres in all 14 regions.
Planning for the centre began with site visits and design approvals.
Land measuring 300 000 square metres was secured from the Keetmanshoop Municipality.
The groundbreaking took place in 2016 and construction started in 2017.
The centre includes classrooms, workshops, an administration block and a hostel for 140 trainees.
It also has a water tower, sewer treatment plant and ablution facilities. Funding came from the African Development Bank.
Phase 1A received more than N$11.7 million and Phase 1B received over N$103 million.
Additional works brought total costs to about N$127.4 million.
The government has started expanding the centre with plans including adding a tuck shop, canteen and housing for hostel supervisors.
The training programmes were selected through consultations with local stakeholders.
They include water and sanitation, solar installation, electrical work, logistics, welding and occupational health and safety.
Courses linked to oil and gas will also be offered, including rigging, lifting operations and maintenance.
Steenkamp said the project followed procurement and governance processes despite delays.
She said cooperation between government and stakeholders supported completion.
Caption
Vice President Lucia Witbooi inaugurated the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre on Thursday.
