RUNDU – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) must be repositioned as a primary strategic investment for national industrialisation rather than being viewed as a secondary educational alternative. These were the remarks of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Deputy Minister and Ndonga Linena constituency councillor Anselm Marungu, who spoke as the guest during the second... The post Marungu urges shift in TVET perception appeared first on New Era .
RUNDU – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) must be repositioned as a primary strategic investment for national industrialisation rather than being viewed as a secondary educational alternative.
These were the remarks of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Deputy Minister and Ndonga Linena constituency councillor Anselm Marungu, who spoke as the guest during the second graduation ceremony of the Ngato Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) held at Rundu on Friday. “Today, I wish to speak about a subject that lies at the heart of our nation’s development, the importance of vocational skills and the role they play in creating jobs, driving innovation, and building industries that accelerate development,” Marungu said while addressing the over 150 students from five different campuses who received their certificates and diplomas in various high-demand, market-ready fields, including electrical general, occupational health and safety, solar installations, welding, office administration, hospitality, and agriculture.
Marungu emphasised that practical, targeted skills are vital as Namibia enters a new era of rapid economic transformation.
He noted that traditional academic pathways frequently leave graduates structurally unemployed due to a severe mismatch with active market demands.
Conversely, fields like solar installations and electrical engineering directly feed into the state’s green energy targets, while hospitality and agriculture bolster regional food security and eco-tourism.
“Vocational training should not be seen as a second option, but rather a strategic investment,” he noted, saying that for many years, society has measured success through university degrees alone. “While higher education remains important, we must recognise an equally important truth, no nation can industrialise without skilled artisans, technicians, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, builders, agricultural specialists, and ICT professionals. These are the men and women who transform ideas into reality, who keep our industries operating, and who create value in every sector of the economy,” he said.
Marungu, who is also a former board member of NIST, further noted that elevating TVET gives youth practical tools to become immediate specialised hires or self-reliant entrepreneurs, directly combatting youth unemployment.
The deputy minister further highlighted that private vocational centres play an indispensable role in expanding educational access beyond state-run infrastructure. He urged these centres to remain actively registered and closely aligned with the Namibia Training Authority (NTA).
The Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) speaks to this reality, says Marungu.
Under its vision of fostering economic growth, inclusiveness and resilience, NDP6 identifies employment creation, industrialisation, economic diversification, and skills development as national priorities.
The plan further recognises that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is essential to addressing youth unemployment, improving productivity, and ensuring that training responds directly to industry needs.
“This means institutions such as Ngato Institute of Science and Technology are not simply training students, they are helping to implement Namibia’s national development agenda.
Every graduate who leaves this institution with practical, industry-relevant skills becomes part of the solution to unemployment,’’ he said.
By successfully integrating localised technical talents with national frameworks, Marungu concluded that Namibia can meet the employment focuses outlined in its National Development Plans, creating measurable wealth and sustainable growth at the household level.
Kavango East education director, Christine Shilima speaking at the event said the private institute offers hope to learners who don’t access universities, “It was not easy for Mr John Fernando the founder of this institute, if we may recall he did open a branch at Kapako in Kavango West and it was a struggle, it started as a vocational training center and now we are calling it an institute with different branches in Rundu, Nkurenkuru and Katima Mulilo,” she said.
“The society is crying when results are out in February, and you see that your children did not make it to varsity. He says if your child did not make it, come to my institute, I will provide a ladder,” she said.
“This is now one of our stakeholder helping us, to cater to learners with less points who are now enrolled for short courses and later one year course to a certificate to a diploma and later to a degree, this institute is the bridge that was not there and now its here and one of the good days we will see this learners here at the university if that is their wish to continue to that level from here,’’ she said.
*–*jmuyamba@nepc.com.na
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