28.10.2011 - Private Sector to take Responsibility - Minister Dr Abraham Iyambo Visits Germany on Vocational Education and Training

Hon Dr. Abraham Iyambo in Germany Enlarge image Hon Dr. Abraham Iyambo in Germany (© BMZ/Anna-Katharina Gallus) At the beginning of this month, the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr.  Abraham Iyambo, visited the Federal Republic of Germany to discuss bilateral cooperation to strengthen Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Namibia. The visit came upon invitation by the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Hon. Dirk Niebel, who had held talks with members of the Namibian Government in Windhoek in late August.

During their meeting in Berlin, the two Ministers discussed first results of a joint (NTA/GIZ) fact finding mission, identifying priorities for upgrading VET. Hon. MinisterIyambo emphasized the urgent need to expand the current uptake of students at VET institutions in order to accommodate all those willing to follow vocational education and to comprehensively combat the scarcity of skilled labour and to reduce unemployment.

While in Germany, Hon. Minister Iyambo also met with representatives of institutions that are imperative to Germany’s VET system. The key success factor of the German system lies with the private sector taking responsibility for VET: “In Germany, 70% of VET is conducted within enterprises while only 30% of training is provided by Vocational Training Centres (VTCs). This model ensures education according to the needs of the private sector, and allows graduates to find a job”, explains Daniel Bagwitz, Sector Coordinator for Sustainable Economic Development of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in Namibiawho participated in this programme.

Germany’s economy, and the small and medium enterprises in particular, thrive with this method. Certainly the German approach cannot just be replicated in Namibia. Nevertheless, the Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) System currently being implemented in Namibiadoes allow the private sector to take an active role and to train according to its needs.

During bilateral government negotiations in Bonnand Berlinin May 2011, Germanyand Namibiaagreed to complement their cooperation programmes in the area of Economic Development, Transport and Natural Resource Management with VET components in these sectors. The technical cooperation programme of 45 million N$ was part of an overall commitment of 1.3 billion N$ Germanyagreed in 2011 for a two-year period.

During Hon. Minister Niebel’s visit in Namibiain August 2011, Hon. Dr. Iyambo and Hon. Niebel signed a joint declaration of intent with which the two sides determined themselves to enhance the bilateral dialogue and practical cooperation between Namibiaand Germanyin the field of vocational education and training. The declaration underlines a main objective to increase productive employment in Namibia.

The cooperation is part of a coordinated effort of other development partners in the field of VET and intends to focus their cooperation on

(1) capacity building of the Namibia Training Authority,

(2) enhancing the quality of public and private training institutions (including the training of trainers and the upgrade of equipment) and

(3) stimulating and ensuring private sector participation in the new VET system.

Hon Dr. Abraham Iyambo with Hon Dirk Niebel in Windhoek Enlarge image Hon Dr. Abraham Iyambo with Hon Dirk Niebel in Windhoek (© Martin Magunia)