13 512 Trainees enrolled as Namibia launches 2026 TVET year
The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) has officially opened the 2026 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) calendar year today(04 February), announcing a total enrolment of 13 512 trainees across 71 registered training providers. Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport and Culture, Dino Ballotti, revealed that the College of the Arts has now been formally incorporated into the NTA. He emphasised that Government has been actively advocating for infrastructure upgrades and renovations at the College’s various campuses to further strengthen vocational education in the country.
The 13 512 trainees enrolled so far, 7 432 enrolled trainees are female. Registration remains ongoing at some institutions, and the figures are expected to increase.
Ballotti described the current enrollment not merely as students, but as “13 512 entrepreneurs in the making”, underscoring the pivotal role of vocational training in driving economic growth and self-reliance.
“A country’s progress is measured not only by academic credentials, but by the strength, reliability and creativity of its workforce” said the Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Training Authority, Erick Nenghwanya.
Held under the theme, “Transformation for Impact: Powering Future-Ready Competencies,” the opening ceremony highlighted the central role of TVET in national development. Nenghwanya noted that the sector directly supports the country’s economic diversification, youth employability, industrialisation and productivity growth objectives.
“TVET stands at the centre of our national development agenda,” he said. “When we speak of economic development, we are speaking of high-quality skills that build infrastructure, maintain systems, manufacture goods and deliver essential services.”
He further stressed that a dependable and skilled workforce remains one of Namibia’s most valuable assets and that strengthening training institutions and industry partnerships is key to ensuring graduates are workplace-ready from day one. Ballotti commended TVET leaders, trainers and industry partners for their continued commitment to quality training and institutional excellence. He encouraged trainees to take pride in their chosen path, describing it as one of action, innovation and nation-building.
“We must celebrate TVET not only as an education pathway, but as a source of national pride,” Nenghwanya said. “Every artisan, every technician and every apprentice represents Namibia’s hope for a self-reliant and prosperous society.”
The official opening of the TVET calendar year is expected to become an annual national initiative aimed at honouring trainers, inspiring trainees and strengthening collaboration between training institutions and industry.
“As we begin this new calendar year, let us remember: a nation that invests in skills invests in its future,” Nenghwanya concluded. “Together, we can build a Namibia where every skill counts, every trade matters and every young person sees a future of dignity and opportunity.”
The official opening of the 2026 TVET calendar year marks an achievement in Namibia’s drive to equip the youth with the skills needed for a prosperous and self-reliant future.
