The current global economic climate and scarcity of resources imposes challenges on education and skills development needs of young people in many developing and middle class countries, and Namibia is of no exception. The focus of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on universal primary education (UPE) contributed towards improving enrolment rates at that level, which consequently increased enrolment at secondary level. However, pursuant to a relatively high drop-out rates at junior and secondary levels, there exists a broad gap in transition from secondary to any form of formal post-secondary education, including both technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and higher education. In countries with relatively large population of young generation and limited resources, young people are exposed to street crime, drugs, psychological issues, conflict and, in certain societies, religious extremism.

The challenge for many of us is how to transform these young people into useful resources which can contribute towards the economic development process of their respective communities and help them become responsible citizens.

The Siya Institute of Vocational Education and Training (SIVET) is a privately owned technical vocational education and training, working towards skills development and entrepreneurship in Namibia. Situated at the heart of the marginalized communities of the Ovazemba and Himba people in the Omusati Region, Northern-East of Namibia, our institution is committed to providing variety of vocational oriented courses through multi-disciplinary learning platform with endless opportunities to groom skills and help young people build their career and prepare them for the industry.

SIVET’s mandate is aligned to the strategic path of the Namibia Training Authority, who in turn has prioritised the provision of effective and efficient TVET services as a key deliverable under its current five-year Strategic Plan. SIVET further recognises Namibia’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) dream as valid, and hence strives to make tangible contributions towards the realization of Namibia’s vision of becoming an industrialized nation.