Joblessness a time bomb: Angula

RISING levels of unemployment pose a threat to SADC countries that can be compared to a time bomb, according to Prime Minister Nahas Angula.

Speaking at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference in Swakopmund last week, Angula warned: “We are presently sitting on a time bomb. I would suggest that, instead of a war on terror, the real war is to battle this youth unemployment.”Some 180 delegates from 17 countries convened at the coast to discuss ways to improve technical training in the region to better satisfy demands in the labour market.The Prime Minister said an effective TVET system must provide productive skills to disadvantaged and marginalised groups, including the youth, women, people living with disabilities and those who never received formal education.”A balance should be struck between training for modern industry and training for the development and growth of self-employment and the informal and SME sectors of the economy.This will result in balanced social and economic development,” he added.The involvement of the private sector, particularly in the planning phase of curricula, is crucial in aligning education with the standards of competency required by employers.”We need to identify and prioritise demand areas in relation to employment creation and the growth of industry and commerce and their manpower requirements and focus education and training accordingly,” said Industry and Commerce Minister Immanuel Ngatjizeko.He is of the opinion that the small and medium enterprise sector offers the best opportunities for growth and employment creation in developing countries.Representing the Namibian private sector, Namdeb Managing Director Inge Zaamwani welcomed the emphasis on the role of the private sector.”The private sector has always felt a bit marginalised when it came to key planning and decision making on TVET …,” she said, “although we are by far the largest employer of the graduates of the TVET system.”Advice from the private sector often doesn’t lead to a tangible outcome that improves the situation, Zaamwani claimed.”This results in a lot of frustration and eventual non-participation.The private sector would like to be given some decision-making authority…”In addition to ineffective training, a major problem is that graduates of the TVET system lack work ethics, according to Zaamwani.”Work ethics have to be built over a longer period.It is easy to provide further on-the-job training and experience to a person with the right attitude and commitment.”Furthermore, the stigma society attaches to technical fields of employment must be rectified, Zaamwani urged.”TVET involves a lot of productive work by a competent person which can never be done by anyone else.”She added that financial contributions to TVET should be managed transparently and allocation of funds should be based on plans agreed to by all key stakeholders.Education Minister Nangolo Mbumba said the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP) is aimed at improving the relevance and quality of education.TVET is a key component of ETSIP.Planned reforms under the programme include the legal establishment of the Namibia Training Authority, implementation of a TVET system that is flexible, demand driven and market oriented, as well as the establishment of a sustainable funding system.Contributions from the private sector through training levies, Government contributions and funds from development partners will be channelled into the Vocational Training Fund.I would suggest that, instead of a war on terror, the real war is to battle this youth unemployment.”Some 180 delegates from 17 countries convened at the coast to discuss ways to improve technical training in the region to better satisfy demands in the labour market.The Prime Minister said an effective TVET system must provide productive skills to disadvantaged and marginalised groups, including the youth, women, people living with disabilities and those who never received formal education.”A balance should be struck between training for modern industry and training for the development and growth of self-employment and the informal and SME sectors of the economy.This will result in balanced social and economic development,” he added.The involvement of the private sector, particularly in the planning phase of curricula, is crucial in aligning education with the standards of competency required by employers.”We need to identify and prioritise demand areas in relation to employment creation and the growth of industry and commerce and their manpower requirements and focus education and training accordingly,” said Industry and Commerce Minister Immanuel Ngatjizeko.He is of the opinion that the small and medium enterprise sector offers the best opportunities for growth and employment creation in developing countries.Representing the Namibian private sector, Namdeb Managing Director Inge Zaamwani welcomed the emphasis on the role of the private sector.”The private sector has always felt a bit marginalised when it came to key planning and decision making on TVET …,” she said, “although we are by far the largest employer of the graduates of the TVET system.”Advice from the private sector often doesn’t lead to a tangible outcome that improves the situation, Zaamwani claimed.”This results in a lot of frustration and eventual non-participation.The private sector would like to be given some decision-making authority…”In addition to ineffective training, a major problem is that graduates of the TVET system lack work ethics, according to Zaamwani.”Work ethics have to be built over a longer period.It is easy to provide further on-the-job training and experience to a person with the right attitude and commitment.”Furthermore, the stigma society attaches to technical fields of employment must be rectified, Zaamwani urged.”TVET involves a lot of productive work by a competent person which can never be done by anyone else.”She added that financial contributions to TVET should be managed transparently and allocation of funds should be based on plans agreed to by all key stakeholders.Education Minister Nangolo Mbumba said the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP) is aimed at improving the relevance and quality of education.TVET is a key component of ETSIP.Planned reforms under the programme include the legal establishment of the Namibia Training Authority, implementation of a TVET system that is flexible, demand driven and market oriented, as well as the establishment of a sustainable funding system.Contributions from the private sector through training levies, Government contributions and funds from development partners will be channelled into the Vocational Training Fund.