My name is Irja Nghinyemwa, and I am writing from Walvis Bay to express my concern about the lack of job attachment and internship opportunities for occupational health and safety students in Namibia.
Many companies, especially in construction and mining, advertise safety officer positions requiring three to 10 years of experience, yet few offer internships for graduates to gain that experience. This leaves students struggling to complete their qualifications and start their careers.
I would like to acknowledge NamWater as one of the few institutions consistently offering internships for safety officers. Even though I applied in the past without success, I am proud of their example in supporting young professionals.
I respectfully urge companies to consider creating and advertising more internship and job attachment opportunities. Without these chances, students cannot gain experience, and the future of Namibia’s workplace safety professionals remains uncertain.
– Irja Nghinyemwa
