Namibia is moving to adapt its qualifications system to emerging skills requirements in oil and gas, the energy transition and artificial intelligence as part of a new national framework aimed at keeping training aligned with changes in the economy.
The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) says the National Policy on Qualification Standards will allow qualifications to be developed and updated in response to labour market demand, while setting nationally agreed minimum learning outcomes and competency standards.
NQA Head of Qualifications Joseph Amunyela said emerging industries are changing the types of skills required from Namibia’s education and training system.
“These emerging sectors require the nation to change and to be responsive. Qualifications must be developed in alignment with labour market demands, and Namibia will also develop a national framework on the recognition and quality assurance of micro-credentials to support upskilling,” Amunyela said.
Speaking at an introduction and familiarisation session on the National Policy on Qualification Standards, Amunyela said the framework will bring education providers, employers, professional bodies and government together to determine what graduates should know and be able to do.
The move is aimed at narrowing the gap between qualifications offered by training institutions and the competencies required by employers.
“A qualification in essence is a public promise. It is a promise to the learner who invests time and resources, a promise to the employer who needs to understand what the graduate knows and can do, and a promise to the wider public that qualifications are credible and verifiable,” Amunyela said.
Under the policy, national standards will establish minimum learning outcomes and competencies without requiring institutions to offer identical programmes.
“As soon as we have national standards established, it means all of us will be recognised in terms of the acceptancy of any outcome of learning of any programme. The aim should be equivalent credibility, not identical programmes,” he said.
The standards will be reviewed every five years, while targeted updates will be possible when technological developments, safety requirements or changes in industries require qualifications to be revised earlier.
The NQA is also planning a national framework for the recognition and quality assurance of micro-credentials, which could allow workers to acquire specific skills without necessarily completing full traditional qualifications.
Khomas Governor Sam Nujoma said Namibia needs qualifications that remain relevant to an increasingly competitive labour market.
“We share a responsibility to ensure our graduates hold qualifications reflecting quality, integrity, relevance, and the competencies a competitive labour market demands,” Nujoma said.
He said the policy will provide a common framework for qualifications offered by schools, vocational training institutions, colleges, universities and other providers.
“This policy therefore comes at an opportune time, providing a coherent framework so that qualifications from schools, vocational training institutions, colleges, universities, and other providers are developed, assessed, and quality assured to consistent national standards,” Nujoma said.
The framework is also expected to improve the recognition and portability of Namibian qualifications locally and internationally.
