MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS BY ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE NAMIBIA TRAINING AUTHORITY, ESTER ANNA NGHIPONDOKA AT THE 2013 GRADUATION CEREMONY OF ZAMBEZI VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE, ZVTC.

EMBARGO: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11TH 2013.

UNAM CAMPUS, KATIMA MULILO, ZAMBEZI REGION

GOVERNOR OF THE ZAMBEZI REGION, HONOURABLE LAWRENCE SAMPOFU; MAYOR OF KATIMA MULILO, YOUR WORSHIP, MR CHARLES MATENGU; DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR THE ZAMBEZI REGION, MR AUSTIN SAMUPWA; THE RIGHT REVEREND RICHARD MATAKALA; PRINCIPAL OF THE ZAMBEZI VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE, MR RICHARD KAMBINDA; STAFF FROM ZAMBEZI VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE; PARENTS; GUARDIANS AND FRIENDS OF THE CLASS OF 2012; GRADUANDS; MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA; LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; ALL PROTOCOL OBSERVED.

First of all, allow me to extend, on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Madame Ester Anna Nghipondoka, her sincere apologies for not being able to attend this graduation ceremony.

She has delegated me to represent her office and the Namibia Training Authority and to convey a message of congratulations to the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre on the graduation of yet another intake of trainees.

She congratulates all our trainees and wish them all the best for the future.

DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES

Our Acting CEO has tasked me to deliver the following message on her behalf:

On behalf of the Namibia Training Authority, allow me first of all, to thank the leadership, administration and staff of the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre, for their hard work, commitment and dedication. Your sacrifices have culminated in the development of skills amongst this group of trainees. You have assisted in their empowerment.

Keep up the good work. Continue to empower our young people, our communities and continue to remain a valued partner in our shared mandate to champion Vocational Education and Training in our country.

I think they deserve a warm round of applause!

DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES

Allow me to now turn my attention to the most important guests at this auspicious occasion, our trainees. Congratulations, Class of 2012. You have made it!

Your hard work has paid off. The sacrifices you have made and the hardships you have endured have not been in vain. Today, you are going to receive a recognized qualification in your respective trades. It is yours and no one can take that away from you. It is your passport to the future.

I think they deserve an even warmer round of applause!

ESTEEMED GUESTS; LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

The Namibia Training Authority is entrusted with the responsibility to grow Vocational Education and Training in our country. This objective is encapsulated in our new five-year strategic plan, which in turn is driven by five main themes.

o The enhanced effectiveness of our organisation and the seven Vocational Training Centres under our custodianship, including Zambezi Vocational Training Centre;

o The Regulation of Vocational Education and Training;o The Funding of Vocational Education and Training; o The Provision of Training and Relates Services; ando The Collection of the Vocational Education and Training Levy.

From the aforementioned themes, our endeavour remains therefore at the heart of transforming the provision of Vocational Education and Training in our country so that it provides the skills we need and act as a springboard for industry growth and economic development.

ESTEEMED GUESTS; LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

Throughout the ages there have been countless words of wisdom spoken by numerous philosophers. I believe many of you have heard of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius, born in in 551 B.C. Confucius was neither a religious leader, nor a prophet, but a philosopher and learned man of the highest order. He had followers who recorded for posterity his wisdom, but had that not occurred, the world would never have had the opportunity to learn from this enlightened man, who said, and I qoute:

“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day – Teach a man how to fish and feed him for a lifetime”.

What quote can be more befitting to describe the importance of skills development in today’s global economy? Because, the key factors, which underlie the competitiveness of a modern economy today, are the skills and productivity of its workforce.

This quote is particularly true for Vocational Education and Training. Consider this. I may have knowledge of where to fish, when to fish and what to use when fishing. But if I don’t have the skill to cast my net or fishing rod, will I be able to catch something? Bottom line is – You never forget a skill. It is like riding a bicycle. If you have the skill today, you will have that skill in 20 years time. And that is why Vocational Education and Training is so important in empowering individuals. It empowers people with skills. And a skill is something that once you have it, can’t

be taken away from you.

DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES

One of the biggest challenges facing us in this day and age, is the generation and upkeep of a sufficient skills market. And across the board, there’s increasing concern about the high rates of unemployment on the one hand – and the shortage of specialist skills on the other.

In fact, the skills shortage has been identified as one of the biggest obstacles for our government to reach its economic growth targets. There’s widespread consensus that we’re not yet equipped with the skills we need to grow economically, and more importantly, for the necessary employment growth so badly needed by Namibia’s large number of unemployed individuals.

The sad part however, is that many organisations tend to pay lip service to training, ignoring the needs of both markets and individuals. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that too many young Namibians are currently out of work and not in school – with staggering socio-economic implications.

Therefore, to effectively address the vast skills shortages in the various sectors of our economy the Namibia Training Authority will continue to coordinate with all its industry, donor and training provider partners to ensure that we free up more training opportunities for young Namibians.

We do so, because we are confident that it is only through the upskilling of our young people that our country – which is brimful of opportunities and natural and cultural resources – will be able to successfully implement sustainable job creation and training.

A FINAL WORD TO OUR TRAINEES GRADUATING TODAY:

I started my address with a quote by the Chinese philosopher, Confucius. Allow me then to conclude with another quote by this wise man.

The Chinese philosopher Confucius also said and I quote:

“Teachers open the doors, but you enter by yourself”.

I want you to take this home with you!

In as much as the qualifications you are to receive today will open the doors for a better future for many of you, it will still be up to you to enter the world of work with confidence, perseverance, commitment and diligence.

The Namibia Training Authority, our industry partners and our centres, including the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre, can only do so much to create training opportunities and establish environments conducive to quality training.

But, it is up to all you now to make the best of the skills you have acquired - not only for your own benefit, but also for the benefit of your families, your communities, your region and our country at large.

Perhaps, some of you a scared today - not knowing what to expect from the world. But, remember, fear does not need to be limiting. Someone once told the story of a group of lions who decided to attack a herd of zebras. The older, weaker lions went to the far side of the zebras and began roaring. The zebras, upon hearing the roars, became frightened and ran away from the sounds—right into an ambush of the younger, stronger lions. The moral of the story is that whenever you become scared, run towards the roars.

Soon, you will be starting at those entry-level jobs that will be the beginning of your careers, once again on the bottom rung of the ladder. But this time the opportunity exists for you to just keep climbing, like it is an endless ladder to heights we have never achieved before.

Remember, the money you are going to make or the accolades you are to receive will not measure your contribution to our world, because our contribution is measured by the way in which we share our unique gifts with the world. And the only place to find those gifts is within yourselves.

So go forth class of 2012 and make your unique contribution to yourselves, to your communities, to our country and the world!

A FINAL WORD TO THE ZVTC TEAM, LEAD BY PRINCIPAL, MR RICHARD KAMBINDA

Keep up the good work. Continue to empower our communities and continue to remain a valued partner in our shared mandate to champion Vocational Education and Training.

I thank you.

END

CUES

1. INTRO

Apologise on behalf of CEO for not being able to attend.

Congratulate trainees on behalf of CEO and NTA. Thank DAPP for hard work and commitment.

2. NTA – DAPP COOPERATION

Three main strategic themes.

How DAPP and services it offers are aligned to NTA’s strategic intent.

DAPP as a valued partner. Highlight NTA funding to DAPP (Onambelela &

Nakayale)

3. VALUE OF VET

Quote & Elboration Highlight importance of skill development in overall

economic empowerment.

4. MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS

Story of lions and zebras - Draw parallel. Encourage to face challenges head-on and perform to the

best of their ability. Thank DAPP and encourage them to continue the good

work.