ZVTC eyes stronger industry links

KATIMA MULILO – The Katima Mulilo Town Council has called for stronger collaboration between vocational training institutions, government and the private sector to ensure that skills development translates into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Katima Mulilo Deputy Mayor Charity Matongo-Mabuku made the call yesterday during the seventh graduation ceremony of the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre (ZVTC), where she welcomed graduates, parents, industry representatives and other stakeholders.

Matongo-Mabuku said vocational education remains an important tool for addressing unemployment and equipping young people with practical skills needed to contribute to economic development.

“Education and skills development remain among the most powerful tools for transforming lives, reducing unemployment and building prosperous communities,” she said.

She noted that vocational education was particularly important because it provides practical skills that respond to the needs of the economy.

Matongo-Mabuku said ZVTC has played a significant role in skills development in the Zambezi Region since its establishment in 1993.

She said the institution had grown from offering only three occupational areas to 11, while its trainee population had increased from 36 to 778, supported by 80 staff members.

“This remarkable growth is a testament to the commitment of the centre’s leadership, staff, partners and stakeholders to developing a skilled and productive workforce,” she said.

According to Matongo-Mabuku, the town council recognises the role played by ZVTC in supporting local economic development, particularly as Katima Mulilo continues to grow.

“A growing town requires qualified artisans, electricians, plumbers, builders, mechanics, hospitality professionals, entrepreneurs and many other skilled individuals who can drive progress and improve the quality of life of our people,” she said.

She urged graduates not to view their qualifications merely as certificates, but as tools that could enable them to become employment creators and contributors to sustainable development.

“We therefore view today’s graduates not merely as certificate holders, but as future builders of our economy, creators of employment opportunities and contributors to sustainable development,” Matongo-Mabuku said.

She also called on the private sector to deepen its involvement with vocational training institutions through internships, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.

She said such partnerships were necessary to ensure that training remained aligned with labour-market demands and helped bridge the gap between education and meaningful economic participation.

Addressing the graduates, Matongo-Mabuku urged them to embrace professionalism, discipline, integrity, innovation and entrepreneurship as they entered the world of work.

“Do not only seek opportunities – create them. Become job creators, community leaders and positive agents of change,” she said.

She further thanked parents, guardians, trainers and ZVTC staff for supporting the graduates throughout their training.

Matongo-Mabuku also commended Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi for attending the ceremony, saying her presence demonstrated the importance government places on skills development, youth empowerment and human capital development.

As Namibia continues to grapple with unemployment, particularly among young people, Matongo-Mabuku said stronger partnerships between government, local authorities, educational institutions and the private sector were needed to turn skills development into tangible economic opportunities.

“Together, we can create an environment where skills development translates into employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable economic growth,” she said.

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