The country’s ongoing need to address the lack of Working Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for students has seen the Social Security Commission (SSC) commit a tune of N$200 000 towards the Namibia National Internship Programme (NNIP). This is to increase the programme’s intake capacity, which currently only takes in 300 students per annum.
SSC is the sixth (6th) institute to aid the sustainable feet of the programme, joining the likes of Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Momentum Metropolitan Foundation, Old Mutual, Standard Bank Namibia, and MTC. This collaboration is harnessed for the growth and continuity of the programme – a national vehicle for internship opportunities contributing to the development of young Namibians and achieving a knowledge-based economy.
Milka Mungunda, SSC Executive Officer expressed her delight, saying that the “SSC is proud to be a part of this partnership which exemplifies national commitment to fostering youth development and employability of graduates. This partnership is in line with our mission and vision to improve the quality of the lives of the most vulnerable and to create a pool of skilled and educated young workforce.”
She further indicated that this initiative, will undoubtedly impact the lives of many deserving Namibians and directly address the critical gap in work-integrated learning.
“With this donation, we are investing in the future of our work force and future SSC members. Together, we can ensure that every young Namibian gains the practical experience and skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.”, said Mungunda.
MTC, as the custodian of the program, commends the companies that extended their corporate goodwill to assist the programme, and emphasising the importance and need for a collective effort in addressing national challenges – urging for more companies to come on board.
MTC’s Chief Human Capital, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Tim Ekandjo, “We are thus far appreciative of the companies that have joined us on availing and facilitating WIL opportunities. Corporate Namibia is understanding that smart partnerships easily yield the shared desired outcome, hence, we commend and welcome SSC to the programme. Additionally, while the programme is helping students who require to do WIL before they graduate, it is also equipping and readying them for the job industry.”
The Namibia National Internship Programme was launched in 2019, with an intake of 160 students per annum. To date, intake stands at 300 students against an ambitious and deliberate target capacity of at least 1600 students yearly. This target requires at least an annual capital injection of N$14 million. A call therefore stands to corporate Namibia to aid the course with a minimum of N$200 000 to make this a reality for the worthy academics.
Since inception, NNIP has recorded a total of 990 students placed for Work Integrated Learning in different sectors.