Ohlthaver and List (O&L) says since the inception of its Emerging Talent Programme in 2007, it has provided a career springboard for 123 young Namibians, including those enrolled in 2025.
The programme, aimed at newly graduated candidates, offers experiential learning across various industries within the O&L Group through a structured 12-month programme that equips participants with hands-on exposure in their chosen fields. Upon completion, graduates are well-positioned to either continue within the O&L Group or pursue opportunities elsewhere in the job market.
“Since its inception, including 2025, 123 young Namibians have joined the O&L family through this programme. This programme is designed to give newly graduated candidates experiential exposure in various industries under the O&L portfolio. Young people often struggle to find employment without job experience,” said O&L Chief Human Capital Officer Terence Makari
This comes as O&L officially welcomed 13 talented individuals into its 2025 Emerging Talent Programme. The diverse 2025 cohort, composed of recent graduates, has been strategically placed across various O&L Operating Companies (OpCos) in roles aligned with national skills gaps, including business development, culinary arts, engineering, human resources, finance, and procurement.
“Youth unemployment in Namibia remains a significant challenge, with rates considerably higher than the overall unemployment figures. We recognise that young, educated Namibians face a critical mismatch between their skills and labour market demands. The most difficult period for any graduate is securing that first opportunity no matter how qualified they are, everyone seeks job experience, yet few companies are prepared to offer that crucial first step into the working world,” he said.
He further explained that solving youth unemployment required a collaborative approach, stating that it called for investment in education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, as well as cooperation between government, the private sector, and civil society. He noted that through initiatives like the Emerging Talent Programme, O&L was demonstrating how the private sector could play a meaningful role in developing the next generation of leaders and contributing to Namibia’s economic growth.
“As Namibia’s largest private employer, we understand our responsibility to provide meaningful opportunities for young professionals. Through our Emerging Talent programme, we’re offering jobs and creating pathways for future leaders while addressing the skills shortage in our economy,” he said.
