The two-year programme is built on the German traineeship model in which individuals undergo four days of work-based trainingandtwodaysofacademiclectures a week. “This blend of theory and practice creates for a holistic learning environment that facilitates the application and transfer of knowledge and skills,” NUST Vice-Chancellor, Dr Erold Naomab said at the event.
Industry involvement is an essential aspect of the CATS programme, and a number of private sector firms are affiliated to the initiative as CATS Member Companies. “The CATS programme which was established in 2005, has to date produced 109 graduates. The initiative facilitates the development of skills amongst young people from underprivileged communities,” Secretary General of the Namibia Employer’s Federation, Daan Strauss, explained.
Since its inception, the CATS programme has seen an enrolment of 257 individuals with 109 of these seeing it through to the end. This year, 20 students successfully graduated from the programme. “Your NUST qualification signifies to the world that you are ambitious, passionate and tenacious, and also that you are equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to enter and make a success of your endeavours,” Dr Naomab noted.