KVTC inaugurated

The state-of-the-art Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) was officially inaugurated by Vice President Lucia Witbooi on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

Witbooi described the opening as a historic and auspicious occasion, and a testimony to the government’s commitment to quality vocational training, providing “relevant skills necessary for today’s job market.”

She said that “these efforts are aimed at ensuring that our training system produces graduates whose skills respond directly to the needs of our economy.” By 2030, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector aims to increase the alignment of graduate skills to industry needs from 65% to 70%, she added.

Specifically, the KVTC will play a critical role in “equipping our youth with practical, industry-relevant competencies required in emerging sectors, such as green hydrogen, oil and gas, and modern agriculture,” she said.

“Government has committed to and resolved to construct Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in all 14 regions as part of the national TVET sector transformation and expansion strategy,” Witbooi added.

With this inauguration, the //Kharas Region becomes the twelfth region to house its own government VTC, she noted.

“The TVET sector is evolving rapidly, and the demand for technical and vocational skills continues to grow across many established industries,” Witbooi said. “At the same time, new skills demands are emerging from major macro-economic development initiatives, most notably in the green hydrogen and oil and gas sectors. We must keep pace with these evolving needs, and we must do so in a manner that maximises impact while unlocking opportunity for our people.”

The KVTC is strategically positioned to develop critical skills for the emerging green hydrogen and oil and gas sectors, she said. “I call upon our local and national industry partners and employers to collaborate with this centre,” she added.

Milestone

Speaking at the same event, KVTC centre manager Benedictus Diergaardt, said: “Today marks a historic and deeply meaningful milestone, not only for myself as head of the centre, but for the people of Keetmanshoop, the //Kharas Region, and Namibia at large. It signifies the realisation of a long-awaited vision to bring accessible, quality vocational education and training closer to our communities.”

Currently, KVTC has the capacity to accommodate over 400 trainees, which aligns with available infrastructure and resources. “We received an overwhelming response of over 1 300 applications from across the country, clearly demonstrating the demand for vocational training. We have registered 260 trainees so far, but this number will increase in the near future,” said Diergaardt.

Facilities available at the KVTC include four fully equipped workshops, classrooms and training spaces, hostel accommodation for trainees, ablution facilities, and administrative offices.

Courses offered include water supply, sanitation and desalination; mechanical engineering, including fitting and machining; solar installation and maintenance; and electrical engineering, including electronics. Vocational skills in information and communication technology, welding and metal fabrication, logistics and supply chain management, and occupational health and safety are also offered.

“These programmes are designed to be both industry-relevant and aligned with national skills development priorities, ensuring that our trainees acquire practical, job-ready skills. With the growth of new industries, there will be consistent demand in these sectors. Once trainees complete their training, they will certainly be in demand,” he added.

“We also encourage entrepreneurship, enabling graduates to start their own businesses and contribute to local economic development.”

KVTC currently offers training up to Level 5 qualifications under the national vocational education framework. “These levels provide a solid foundation of both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies,” he said, adding: “As the centre grows, we aim to expand our offerings to higher levels.”