The governor of the Otjozondjupa Region has called on young people to embrace vocational education as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
John || Khamuseb made the remarks during the official opening of the fourth Okakarara Vocational Training Centre Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Okakarara on Wednesday.
Held under the theme "Craft to Capital", the week showcases innovation, entrepreneurship and technical skills development aimed at empowering young Namibians to become drivers of economic transformation.
||Khamuseb says the diverse trades and training programmes on display demonstrate how the Otjozondjupa Region is contributing to Namibia's national development agenda in line with Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan.
"Whether in engineering, construction, or information technology, contributing towards building a resilient and diversified economy as envisaged under NDP6 and Vision 2030. I therefore call upon all inhabitants of the region, particularly our young people, to take advantage of the opportunities available at Okakarara VTC."
The governor encouraged parents, school leavers and communities to make full use of the vocational training opportunities available at the centre, while urging industry partners to strengthen collaboration to ensure graduates possess skills that meet labour market demands.
Meanwhile, Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Namibia Financial Assistance Institution, Percy Tjahere, challenged trainees to use their technical skills to create businesses that solve real community problems.
"We must stop training for unemployment. We must start training for impact. I think impact is very important. We need to focus on community first, service delivery through skills."
Okakarara Vocational Training Centre manager Moses Tjirare says the centre will establish an innovation hub and business incubation hub designed to help transform practical skills into sustainable businesses through innovation, incubation and strategic partnerships.
"Every innovation begins as an idea, every business begins as a skill, and every economic opportunity begins with a person willing to create something of value. Through innovation, entrepreneurship, incubation, and strategic partnerships, we aim to help our youth move from being job seekers to becoming job creators."
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week provides a platform for trainees, entrepreneurs, government institutions and industry partners to showcase innovative ideas, strengthen collaboration and promote entrepreneurship as a key driver of employment creation and inclusive economic growth in Namibia.