At least forty successful candidates who have applied for business training under the MTC 4 Life program have commenced the hands-on three-weeks long training in various trades such as Upholstery, Hairdressing styling, Barbering, Carpentry, Welding, Electricity and Solar, and Brick Manufacturing, respectively. The training is being conducted in Ondangwa, Katima Mulilo, Swakopmund, and Windhoek.
28 years-old Gervasius Isaak from Omitara in Omaheke region, a trainee in brick manufacturing expressed gratitude towards the program while urging fellow youth to take up opportunities whenever they arise to gain necessary knowledge and upskill themselves.
“Being part of the MTC 4 Life program has truly transformed the way I see myself and my future. I feel empowered, not just with knowledge and skills, but with a sense of purpose and direction. Through the program, I am discovering my potential and is molding me to become more self-reliant, confident, and hopeful. Through mentorship, training, and support, I’ve learned to face challenges with a positive mindset and turn obstacles into opportunities. I now feel that I have a voice, a vision, and the ability to make meaningful contributions to my community. MTC 4 Life is not only impacted my life, but it has also helped me to believe in my ability to impact the world around me.”
Executed with the focus to empower the unemployed youth, MTC 4 Life, a yearly program has become one of MTC’s Corporate Social Investment initiative that reaped the interest of many Namibians youth who aspire to upskills themselves and become self-employment. This year, at least over 250 expressions of interest from four regions (Zambezi, Erongo, Hardap, and Omaheke) were received – a figure highlighting the need for the continuation of the program.
The initiative is continuing to transfer essential business and practical skills to the trainees – equipping them to establish and or grow their small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
An update comment from MTC’s Corporate Communications Practitioner, Erasmus Nekundi said: “After almost five months since the call for application, vetting and getting suitable and qualified trainers, and successfully conducting interviews with over 250 applicants who were shortlisted, we are now pleased that training has started with the 40 successful trainees. Capital investment in the program since inception stands at N$3.5 million. After the current intake, with a sum of Namibian youth trained and benefited will be 131”.
Nekundi concluded that “As per program’s norm, MTC is responsible for the training cost of all trainees, and after completing the training, each trainee will receive a startup toolkit to start business and a N$5000 capital amount. This is to empower them to start their own micro businesses, become self-employed and earn a living on their own. Once they have their businesses running, MTC has contracted SME compete (field experts) to monitor growth and provide business guidance”.