Maria David
IN a significant move aimed at bolstering skills development and providing crucial work experience for Namibian youth, the Ministry of Finance has issued a directive requiring all Offices, Ministries, and Agencies (OMAs) to incorporate budgetary provisions for comprehensive apprenticeship, internship, and graduate internship programs for the upcoming 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 financial years.
In a letter dated 03 April 2025, the Ministry of Finance mandated all its agencies to make budgetary provision for national internship programs.
This policy mandates that every government OMA actively engage in skills development by onboarding a minimum number of trainees across three key categories.
Thus, each OMA is now required to make financial provisions for a minimum of 15 apprenticeship trainees to be taken on for on-the-job training for a period of six months, with each trainee receiving a monthly stipend of N$2,500.
At least 25 intern positions must be budgeted for, offering practical work experience for six months with a monthly stipend of N$2,500 per person.
Further, to ensure the government bridges the gap between academic qualifications and industry experience, OMAs are directed to accommodate a minimum of 25 graduate interns.
These individuals, who have already completed their studies, will be offered a two-year industrial experience opportunity with a monthly stipend of N$3,500.
“Additionally, this directive will be extended to the 14 Regional Council Offices across the country and 58 Local Authorities (Municipalities, Town Councils, and Village Councils) for implementation,” read the letter.
The ministry requests all its OMAs to submit all documents to the treasury by Tuesday, while Regional Councils and Local Authorities are given until Thursday.
