A Developing Country Dilemma: Training Engineers and Sending Them to the Streets

Investing in higher education and training in Namibia deserves serious consideration.

As a developing country striving to uplift its economy and infrastructure, we have made commendable efforts in providing education and training opportunities for our youth, particularly in the field of engineering.

However, there is a dilemma that we need to confront head-o0n: The disheartening reality of training hundreds of engineers only to see them struggling to find suitable employment opportunities.

As a developing country, this raises important questions about our readiness for a future that will globally be led by intelligent technologies.

Education is rightfully viewed as the key to progress.

Our commitment to training engineers reflects our aspirations for a brighter future – a Namibia built on a solid foundation of technical expertise and innovation.

By committing enormous resources and investing in the education of our youth, we have sought to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to the growth of our developing nation.

THE REALITIES

However, the harsh reality we face is an imbalance between the number of qualified engineers and the availability of suitable employment opportunities.

Our efforts to produce a pool of talented engineers are commendable, but they must be complemented by robust opportunities.

The mismatch between supply and demand in this area is detrimental not only to the aspirations and livelihoods of these young professionals, but also to the overall development of Namibia.

Addressing this dilemma requires a joint effort from the government and industry stakeholders.

As Rwandan president Paul Kagame said, “To create meaningful employment, governments and businesses must work together to nurture an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Our government must undertake a comprehensive review of labour market trends and future demands.

This analysis should guide the planning and allocation of resources for academic programmes, ensuring that our investment in training engineers aligns with the nation’s needs.

Recent developments such as Green Hydrogen projects and the upcoming era of oil exploration present a unique opportunity for engineers to be called in for duty. It is within the state’s right to deliberately do so.

LET’S DO IT

While suitable employment opportunities are crucial, we must foster and encourage a culture of entrepreneurship among our young engineers.

Nurturing an environment that supports and promotes start-ups can provide alternative avenues for utilising their skills and creating job opportunities.

Entrepreneurship programmes, mentorship initiatives, and access to funding can empower individuals to unleash their innovative potential and contribute to the economy.

While the Development Bank of Namibia has come up with a commendable funding initiative for professionals such as engineers, fears remain rife among innovators that their proposals and ideas will simply be stolen.

This requires urgent attention as it suppresses innovation and ingenuity.

To address unemployment among engineers, the engines of economic growth in any economy, we must acknowledge the seriousness of the anomaly and collaborate, plan strategically and invest in initiatives which harness their expertise.

By doing so, we can unlock the true potential of our engineers, drive economic growth and help create a prosperous future for Namibia.

It is time to transform this dilemma into an opportunity for progress and success.

• Charles Mukwaso is the president of the Namibian Society of Engineers, strategist on engineering matters and an MBA student at the University of Namibia

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