.png)
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The development of skills is one of the foundational pillars of a successful investment promotion and development drive. Research conducted has shown the overwhelming importance that investors place on the availability of relevant skills, to inform investment decisions.
The Board is committed to ensuring the promoting and coordinating sector skills and capacity development strategies to meet the needs of foreign investors and the local private sector. Conducting labour market analysis and collaborating with investors and institutions of higher learning to identify current and future skills in priority sectors. Assessing productivity levels to ensure continuous improvement across the country.
NIPDB offers the following initiatives:
NATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME AND YOUTH TAX INCENTIVE
The NIPDB, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (MFPE), launched the Youth Employment Tax Incentive and National Internship Programme for employers in the FY 2024/25. This initiative provides a tax rebate of N$50,000 per annum per intern, with a total budget of approximately N$126 million. The programme aims to create 5,075 job opportunities annually by encouraging employers to onboard more interns.
Since its launch in November 2023, the NIPDB has engaged over 110 companies and 200 participants across various sectors to raise awareness about the programme’s benefits. As of now, more than 500 intern pledges have been received from around 20 companies.
The MFPE and NIPDB are in the process of nominating and appointing designated bodies following the amendments to the Income Tax Act. In the meantime, employers are encouraged to continue recruiting interns through their regular hiring processes.
For more information, employers can contact us here:
For detailed reports, presentations, and expressions of interest for designated bodies, please click here.
SKILLS FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION
NIPDB and the UN are implementing the Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) in Namibia, an approach developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to address skills development and workforce capacity challenges in the context of economic diversification and trade.
STED helps countries build the skills needed to adapt to global economic shifts, create jobs, and address skills mismatches in the labour market.
In November 2023, the Board held a stakeholder engagement to agree on sector priorities.
Now, in collaboration with the ILO, studies in the energy and renewables sector will begin, supported by a sectoral committee.
Employers are encouraged to engage with the NIPDB to explore participation in these studies.
INFORMATION SHARING PLATFORM
The Board has developed a web-based platform to share study opportunities such as scholarships, bursaries, and loans with Namibian students.
At a stakeholder engagement on May 23, attended by 50 participants from 37 companies, employers showed strong support for the initiative, with many pledging their backing.
The Board is now gathering information to launch the platform in 2024. Employers offering study opportunities are encouraged to contact the NIPDB to contribute.
GERMAN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME
With over 71% of Namibia's population being young and trainable, the country is well-positioned to export talent to Germany, which faces an ageing population. In collaboration with the Goethe Institut Namibia, this programme sends young Namibians to Germany for apprenticeships.
Launched in September 2023, the programme supports young Namibians seeking training and employment in Germany. After a call for interest in November, the NIPDB received over 7,000 applications.
The first group is set to depart in 2024.
More information on the programme is available below.