Taskforce Appointed to Transform TVET Centres into Colleges
In line with the vision of advancing Namibia's education system, the Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation (MHETI), Hon Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, has appointed a taskforce to oversee the transformation of state-owned Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges. The taskforce, chaired by the Registrar of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Prof Sifiso Nyathi, will collaborate with experts from the Namibia Training Authority, the University of Namibia, various ministries, and other stakeholders to drive this transformative initiative.
This move is designed to address the limitations of the current Level 3 TVET qualifications, which have hindered graduates from advancing to higher-skilled, better-paying jobs. Dr Kandjii-Murangi stressed the need for Namibia to go beyond basic certifications, stating: "It is time for us to transition to diploma-level training at TVET centres". By introducing Diplomas (Level 4) and Advanced Diplomas (Levels 5 and 6), the initiative aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills to engage in high-value production fields, such as furniture manufacturing, going beyond traditional carpentry.
Prof Nyathi expressed his confidence in the collaborative effort, saying, "Through this alliance, I am confident we will bring this national duty to fruition. As educators, we hold the responsibility of shaping the future of education and skills development in our country, to better the life of the Namibian child". Prof Nyathi is a curricularist, researcher, linguist and lawyer by training. The engagement will also be in consultation with NUST and other international institutions that are known for best practices in relevant fields.
The taskforce will assess the current offerings at state-owned VTCs and explore the possibility of introducing specialised production and manufacturing disciplines at the expanded TVET Colleges. The evaluation will cover key areas such as governance, funding, infrastructure, staffing, and curriculum alignment with the nation’s skills development priorities. The taskforce's work is set to span a ten-month period, during which they will provide comprehensive recommendations for the transformation.
