Kraatz, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, has announced the commencement of its first apprenticeship intake for the year 2024. This intake sees 10 promising young Namibians embark on a 6-month apprenticeship journey, as part of Kraatz’s ongoing commitment to developing skilled professionals and future leaders.
The apprenticeship programme, now in its 12th year, aligns with Kraatz’s characteristics of being authentic, caring, and passionate in building Namibia’s industrial capacity. The apprenticeship provides in-depth, practical training across several essential trades, focusing on Boilermaking, Fitting & Turning, and Electrical Trade. The students, selected from Namibian Vocational Training Institutes, will rotate through various Business Units within Kraatz for a duration of six months. This rotation ensures that the apprentices gain comprehensive exposure to real-world challenges in the Industrial, Mining, and Marine & Offshore industries.
Since its inception in 2011, the Kraatz Apprenticeship Programme has been instrumental in preparing students for the working environment, enabling them to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Through on-the-job training, the apprentices will hone their skills, develop expertise, and gain valuable workplace exposure, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the demands of Namibia’s growing industries.
This programme is aligned with Kraatz’s focus on fostering growth, one of O&L’s Breakthrough behaviours, and underscores the company’s commitment to adding value to the lives of these apprentices, not only at a professional level but also on a personal and community scale. As part of Kraatz’s social responsibility, this initiative seeks to enhance the skillsets of Namibia’s youth, thereby contributing to the country’s industrialisation efforts.
While the apprenticeship does not culminate in formal certification, the real-world experience and skills gained during this programme will equip the apprentices to pursue careers as qualified artisans in Boilermaking, Fitting & Turning, and Electrical Trades. Upon successful completion of their studies at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), apprentices may be considered for employment at Kraatz based on their performance, cultural fit, and aspirations demonstrated during their time in the programme.
Kraatz remains steadfast in its mission to care for the communities it serves, not only through its high-quality engineering solutions but also by developing local talent to support Namibia’s most critical industries. By creating opportunities for skills development and capacity building, Kraatz helps ensure the continued growth and success of the Oil & Gas, Marine, Mining, and Engineering industries. As Kraatz continues its journey of innovation and continuous improvement, it stands as a beacon of reliability, expertise, and leadership in Namibia. This apprenticeship programme represents Kraatz’s passion for developing future leaders and driving Namibia’s industrial and economic growth.