Trustco Group Holdings Ltd and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) launched a joint Information Technology (IT) Internship Program to equip Namibian ICT graduates with real-world working experience in the competitive corporate environment. Young graduate and certified Namibians will put their academic experience to the test and hone their skills for the lifelong employment growth path and eventually job security in a volatile labour market.
Emmanuel Joseph, a four-year graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Informatics, was selected as the successful applicant of this inaugural Trustco IT program. Upon completing his studies in Johannesburg, South Africa, he decided to come back home to apply all he learned in his home country of Namibia. “It was a no-brainer decision for me. So many Namibians think that once they come of age they would like to leave the country for good, I was no different. After a month of having fun, and being out of “mommy’s nest,” I felt terribly homesick. ‘’ Being thousands of kilometres from his native town of Okahandja, his mother made sure he stayed put! This program will be the beginning Emmanuel’s IT career in the corporate world.
The Deputy Minister of ICT In Namibia, Honourable Emma Theofelus, expressed her excitement working alongside Trustco Group in launching this initiative. Before her appointment, the Honourable Deputy Minister was always policy adjacent and was a Youth Activist around issues of gender, children’s rights, sustainable development and youth unemployment. As such, she sees the need for youth development programs in Namibia. “Our local government of today sees the need of creating platforms for the youth. Not in my wildest dreams did I foresee being part of central government in my current capacity. Trustco has been an equal champion in developing programs around youth development and entrepreneurship that complements the efforts of government. We would urge fellow corporates to follow suit,” she said.
The joint Trustco/MICT one-year internship program focuses on freshly graduated IT candidates with no working experience. A program of this nature assists our youth to gain essential workplace skills that can be applied successfully in any future employment. One of the requirements for the successful candidate was to pass the Trustco Group Integrated Annual Reports Test, a standardized policy for prospective employees and interns to comply with. It is an open-book multiple choice test done online on the Annual Reports of Trustco which gave the potential interns the requisite background into Trustco’s business and operations, and to equip them with a basic knowledge of the groups’ culture and operations.
In April 2008, H. E President Hifikepunye Pohamba established the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), by merging the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Communication section from the ministry of Works, Transport and Communication. The Ministry of ICT is responsible for Information Technology, Telecommunications, Broadcasting, media and the postal sectors in Namibia. ICT plays a key role in achieving sustainable economic development goals through the availability and accessibility of many essential ICT services. Through the use of ICT many rural people are now able to access important information and are informed on important issues affecting their everyday activities on agriculture, social welfare, health and education among others through the use of ICT.
Emmanuel’s internship in Trustco’s IT department will provide him with the necessary skills to make a success of his career ahead. “The working environment of Trustco is so pleasant, everyone from top to ground floor looks like they belong right here, comfortable and highly competitive in what they do. I will perform to the best of my ability here at Trustco, and I believe that if I give my best, I can become a fully-fledged Trustconian,” he said.
The Chief Information Officer of Trustco Group, David Swindon, expressed his satisfaction with the successful program, “It is our national duty to look at projects that uplifts the youth in Namibia. In an ever-changing working environment inspired by innovation and experience, and championed by both the youth and seasoned specialists in ICT, we see a bright future for the industry,” he said. This program forms part of the successful social impact programs Trustco Group operates through all sectors of Namibian society. The group’s focus on Corporate Social Investment (CSI) ensures that its vision is in line with government’s focus on youth development, an element of focus for the Harambee Prosperity Plan 2
(HPP2).
For more information contact:
Neville Basson
Head: Public Relations and Corporate Communication
Trustco Group Holdings Limited
NevilleB@tgh.na
