Okakarara Vocational Training Centre (OVTC) dedicates itself to improving stakeholder relationships which is a catalyst in bridging the wide gap between the institution and the industries. Potential stakeholders who have a significant interest in the VTCs operations were identified and invited for a review workshop. An analysis of attendees shows representations from various spectrums such as Civil Society, Banks, Local Authorities, Retail, Construction, Government departments and sister VTCs.
This year, it was a second annual Stakeholder Workshop that OVTC has staged, thanks to sponsor Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).
Industry players, Civil Society organizations, as well as other Vocational Training Institutions were invited to share ideas and expectations on how partnerships between Vocational Training Centers and businesses could complement each other’s’ growth and how to cement the existing partnership agreements.
Attendees of the workshop were welcomed by Honorable John Viakondo His Worship the Mayor of Okakarara Town.
Keynote Speaker, Mr. Dennis Zaire, Programme Manager at KAS, delivered a powerful discourse focusing on the significance of Vocational Training in the development of the country’s economy.
Mr. Zaire also spoke on the importance of conducting research into the history, effectiveness, challenges, and the future of vocational education training.
Ms. Helena Ilovu, from the Centre for Enterprise Development of the formerly Polytechnic of Namibia, now Namibia University of Science & Technology (NUST) discussed ways in which we can upgrade training qualifications, and improve the quality of training through short courses offered to Vocational Education Trainers.
Other topics of discussion during the workshop included strategies and benefits of enforcing partnerships with stakeholders, and how we can improve and create awareness of CBET.
Stakeholders in the industry are vastly important to the OVTC. When companies and training institutions work together, advancements in education result in an increase in production and growth of these companies. During this engagement, two industry partnership proposals between OVTC and two business entities were sealed.