The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) will be offering training to 634 Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) employees, in an effort to improve performance in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Of the total 75 have already been trained in customer care, and 55 as chefs through culinary arts. A further 75 will be undergoing training as of this week, and the remaining will be trained in segments depending on the type of training needed.
“NUST and NWR responded to the need to enhance the skills of employees to improve in customer service and culinary arts. It is on this ground, NUST saw it befitting in providing this training because we have been at the forefront in making a significant impact on the industry through skills, human capital and state-of-the-art infrastructures for both theory and practical training,” said NUST Vice Chancellor Erold Naomab.
“NUST is a frontrunner in providing tailor-made courses and programs designed in consultation with the industry to meet the needs of the both public and private sector. Therefore, institutions of higher learning have the collective responsibility to provide capacity building through research, innovation and training. Hence, we must offer courses that are relevant to the improvement of service delivery in the tourism sector,” he reiterated.
Naomab said this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with NWR’s Managing Director Mathias Ngwangwama.
In addition, Naomab said cooperation in the tourism sector is fundamental as it allows the country to maximise growth opportunities.
Meanwhile, Ngwangwama said training is a continuous exercise that instills a sense of hope and morale in employees. Training he says has more value than remuneration alone.
“You cannot train once and think you have don’t it, no! Training is a lifelong journey. For instance, what Covid-19 did, people were uncertain of what is next, that is why we decided to embark on to lift their morale through upskilling,” the MD said.
“Theoretical provided by NUST when combined with NWR’s real life business management practice creates a good combination resulting in solutions. Therefore, we are committed to the collective approach, as opposed to operating in silos, because lack of collaboration defeats the target of attaining national goals of employment creation and economic growth,” added Ngwangwama.
