Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) plans to nationalize its National Internship Program by raising N$14. 4 million per annum, which will be used to upscale the intake from the current 160 students to 1600 per year.
“We are now ready to upscale the project to become a national vehicle for internships. MTC and the Office of the Prime Minister will collectively contribute N$2 million per annum. So, we are looking for other corporates out there to come on board with a contribution of at least N$200 000,” said MTC Chief Human Capital, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Officer Tim Ekandjo.
He said the telco has thus far identified 53 corporates, which he urged to pledge an amount of N$200 000 towards the initiative.
“Let us assist these students together so that we better prepare a certified and skilled workforce. We need to do our part in writing this chapter so that the history books of internship will have something revolutionary to say about us,” said Ekandjo.
MTC Managing Director Licky Erastus highlighted that while the program takes stock of its achievements, smart partnerships will have a bigger impact.
“We are now at a point where we want to carve out a future for the program with the aim to see how it can be integrated into the national education goals and structure. Frankly speaking, we have, per annum, more students who need internships, but unfortunately, the program can only take in 160 per year. A number that we consider very little if we are to make a significant impact. We are therefore really urging and calling on more corporates to come on board so that together, as good corporate citizens, can make a positive difference in this regard,” he said.
Launched 17 June 2019, MTC Namibia National Internship Program, which aimed at accommodating over 160 interns annually, has so far assisted 600 students on a budget spanning over N$7 million to date.
According to MTC, Namibia has 48 000 students nationally who are in dire need of an internship to graduate.
“While this reality can be viewed as a check list for benefiting graduates, internships in general also answers to hostile requirements from industry that only opens doors to graduates who have a shoestring of experience.”
