Context
Namibia’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector remains supply driven. The industry’s demand for higher-quality vocational education and training, including new and reformed qualifications, is not adequately addressed. Namibian TVET institutions have limited capacity to respond meaningfully to labour-market needs and can only absorb one-third of applicants annually. Youth without secondary education, especially from marginalised rural communities, do not have equal access to quality training. Barriers include a lack of data and information, of accommodation and transport, as well as prohibitive training costs. Improving the TVET system is one of Namibia’s core development strategies to reduce youth unemployment. Improving the TVET system is explicitly referred to in the country’s development goals. The Cabinet approved a revised TVET policy and implementation plan in March 2021. The policy emphasises that quality improvement and a substantial expansion of the TVET system can only be achieved through a joint endeavour by the state, civil society actors and private sector.
