Liaison officer at Marcopolo Vocational Training Centre (VTC), Tchingando Almeida has said VTCs provide a second chance for individuals to develop entrepreneurial skills and generate employment opportunities.

He also emphasised that they are not intended solely for those who have previously failed their high school.

Almeida, an exhibitor at the Olufuko Cultural Festival in Outapi, made these remarks in a sit-down interview with Nampa on Wednesday.

He acknowledged that achieving a completely unemployment-free society is challenging, but underscored the importance of vocational training in significantly reducing unemployment and bridging the wealth gap between the rich and the poor.

“VTCs are one of the solutions that ensure that this gap is minimised,” Almeida said.

The liaison officer highlighted the need to demystify long-held misconceptions regarding VTCs - noting VTCs should not be viewed as institutions offering a second chance at education and life, but rather should be considered as a first route choice for career development.

“What I look at when I say there is a misconception is the belief in people when they say VTCs are a second option, when in fact it is not a second option, it is rather a chance to ensure that the gifts or talents that you have are also considered in this society of ours,” he stressed.

Almeida said parents often have a limited understanding of VTCs, resulting in them prioritising their children completing high school over their natural talents.

He added that Africans experience natural apprehension due to the lack of sufficient opportunities available to them. When access to formal education is hindered, they are often of the notion that their alternatives are limited.

“It’s just a matter of having a survey on how well parents understand VTCs for certain, that is why we have kids out there in the streets,” Almeida added.

He stressed the importance of VTCs promoting their services to the general public in order to increase awareness.

Almeida stated that it is, for this reason, Marcopolo Vocational Centre chose to showcase its services at the festival, targeting parents and potential students.

He noted that the institution has an enrolment of 255 students specialising in various courses, ranging from hospitality, tourism, office administration, automotive mechanics, and community counselling, among others.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency