NamPower accused of breaching bursary contract
NamPower accused of breaching bursary contract
A top-performing NamPower bursary recipient who completed his Electrical Engineering studies in 2023 says he has been left unemployed for nearly two years, despite a contract clause that created expectations of employment after graduation.
The graduate, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, was awarded a NamPower bursary on 17 February 2022 to study Electrical Engineering at Northlink College in South Africa.
He completed his Level 6 Electrical Diploma on 1 March 2023 with strong academic results, but says the promised pathway into employment never materialised.
“After graduating, I awaited further guidance regarding placement, which did not happen as expected,” he said.
According to the graduate, the bursary agreement signed with NamPower created a clear expectation of employment after completion of studies.
Clause 6.1 of the contract, seen by Namibian Sun, states: “After completing the course for which the bursary is granted the student is obliged to work for NamPower. The student undertakes to remain in the service of NamPower for a minimum period equal to the number of months or years for which the bursary was utilised.”
The same clause further provides that if NamPower is unable to employ the student, the graduate must take up employment elsewhere in Namibia for a period equivalent to the duration of the bursary.
The graduate says this wording led him to believe NamPower would either place him within the company or actively facilitate alternative placement.
In August 2023, five months after completing his studies, he was contacted by NamPower’s bursary office and instructed to submit his CV and supporting documents to Human Resources.
“I submitted everything as requested. I also applied for vacancies through NamPower’s recruitment system and made several follow-up calls,” he said.
However, he was repeatedly informed that there were no available positions.
“I was told there were no vacancies at the time and that I would be contacted when opportunities arose. To date, no formal correspondence confirming the final position on my employment has been received.”
The situation is further complicated by the nature of his qualification. The Level 6 Electrical Diploma funded by NamPower requires a mandatory 24-month internship as part of the programme – a requirement he says cannot be fulfilled without formal placement.
Without this placement, the qualification remains incomplete, leaving him stuck in professional limbo.
“I followed every process they asked of me. I did well academically and fulfilled my part of the agreement. I just want clarity and a fair opportunity,” he said.
Network Media Hub spoke to NamPower. Nampower confirmed that it does not guarantee employment to bursary recipients.
“NamPower does not guarantee employment to bursary recipients upon completion of their studies,” the company said, citing Clauses 16.2 and 16.3 of its External Bursary Policy.
The power utility explained that bursaries are awarded as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme aimed at national skills development, rather than as a guaranteed recruitment pipeline.
“Graduates funded under the bursary programme are considered for permanent employment only when suitable vacancies exist within NamPower,” the company said.
NamPower added that there is no fixed timeline for placement after graduation and that recruitment depends on operational needs.
“The process is facilitative rather than guaranteed,” the utility stated.
The company acknowledged that some bursary recipients complete their studies without being placed at NamPower.
“This is expected within the context of the bursary programme. NamPower does not guarantee placement, and graduates are expected to seek employment elsewhere in Namibia,” it said.
Regarding internships, NamPower said support is provided where capacity exists, but opportunities depend on available mentors and organisational needs and are “not guaranteed in all cases”.
Despite the response, the graduate maintains that the wording of his contract created a reasonable expectation of employment.
“I just want NamPower to honour the spirit of the agreement,” he said.
