Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA’S newly launched National Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Policy is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical workplace experience by integrating theoretical training with real-world industry exposure, according to the Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dalia Mwiya.
Speaking during a televised interview on the policy, Mwiya said the framework is intended to guide all key stakeholders involved in education and training, including employers, training institutions, and students, on how workplace learning should be implemented across the country.
She explained that the policy establishes national standards for work-integrated learning, ensuring consistency in how workplace exposure programmes such as internships, apprenticeships, and attachments are structured and delivered.
“In simple terms, it is a policy that brings work and learning together. It provides a clear framework for implementing workplace training and guides employers, training institutions, and students on their respective roles,” Mwiya said.
She added that implementation will be driven by a coordinated structure already outlined in the policy’s implementation plan, which identifies key institutions responsible for ensuring wide dissemination and proper execution.
Mwiya added that employers, including both private companies and government institutions, will play a central role in providing workplace exposure opportunities, while accredited training institutions will continue to deliver theoretical instruction.
“The training institutions remain responsible for the theoretical component, while industry provides the practical experience. The policy simply formalises and standardises how this collaboration should work,” she said.
She further highlighted the role of the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) in supporting apprenticeships and incentivising companies to participate in training programmes, including through existing levy mechanisms.
The Office of the Prime Minister will also play a key role in ensuring government ministries actively participate by offering internship and attachment opportunities, given the public sector’s position as the country’s largest employer.
Mwiya said the policy also clarifies terminology and structures within the WIL system to avoid confusion between internships, apprenticeships, and traineeships, ensuring a shared understanding among institutions, employers and students.
On inclusivity, she stressed that the policy is designed to extend opportunities to students in rural areas and smaller institutions, including participation by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), provided minimum standards for safety and training capacity are met.
Looking ahead to 2030, Mwiya said government expects the policy to significantly improve the quality of graduates entering the labour market by ensuring they have practical experience before completing their studies.
“We want graduates who are better prepared for the labour market, and we want employers to play a stronger role in shaping the training process so that it becomes demand-driven,” she said.
Photo: MEIYSAC
