The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) is collaborating with the Goethe Centre in targeting young local school leavers to take up apprenticeships in German companies.
According to the Executive for Talent, Innovation and Productivity at NIPDB, Julia Muetudhana, the programme is designed specifically to target young Namibians who are eligible and willing to study and work in Germany.
“A total of 70,000 students sit for Grade 11 and only 5,000 qualify, of which half of them go to TVET and then the rest of them cannot be absorbed. And the opportunities for apprentices are in this corner [Germany], where we say that with those school leavers, we can actually see an opportunity and collaborate with Germany,” she said.
The apprenticeship offers opportunities for work study in industries ranging from logistics and transportation, electronics and the electrical sector as well as chemical and laboratory. Opportunities in healthcare, IT and systems and mechanical and industrial sectors are also offered.
Muetudhana further explained that the opportunities for exchange between the two countries granted that Namibia has a young demographic dividend while Germany has an aging worker force.
“So we say we change the narrative for Namibia, we’ve got a young demographic dividend and instead of saying that we’ve got a high youth unemployment, we translate it into an opportunity considering Germany has an aging workforce,” she said.
She also stated that for its pilot, the programme is targeting people between 18 and 25 years old with a minimum of Grade 10 who are also proficient in the German language and are available to study in Germany in 2024.
“And then in 2025 and beyond, we would like to provide applicants with German language proficiency certificates and classes. That is the only difference between the two because the language is very important,” she said.
She further explained that for the first phase, around 20 students will be accommodated and funding has not been finalised but the board is in the process of securing funding from partners.
“So, we decided that we will leave it open because we are still partnering and we are still seeking funding for our students. So, we will leave it open so that more and more people can come on board,” she said.
Apprenticeships are part of Germany’s dual education system and their duration is about 36 months on average while some specialised crafts take up to 42 months.
