Africa-Press – Liberia. MANY learners reach senior secondary level still undecided about future career options and when they finally decide, many end up choosing common professions.
A few, however, opt for professions that are rare and considered extraordinary, such as being a pilot. All it takes is a certificate in grade 12, with a pass in english, mathematics and physical science required to enter the field.
“The Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is the starting point for anyone interested in becoming a career pilot,” said First Officer Abniel Hamukwaya, the marketing and promotion manager of the Namibian Aviation Training Academy (NATA).
Hamukwaya said this while addressing learners at the Nuuyoma Senior Secondary School at Oshikuku in the Omusati Region recently. Hamukwaya further explained that those who obtain a PPL are not employable commercially, but instead obtain the licence for leisure purposes only.
“The next phase of training is the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), which is meant to equip the pilot with the necessary skills qualifying them for employment in an airliner or an air charter company that provides commercial aviation services,” he said.
Hamukwaya challenged Namibians to get out of their comfort zones and to make sure that more are equipped with knowledge and skills, including piloting skills.
Hamukwaya started his tour preaching to learners in the Otjozondjupa Region before visiting the Kunene and the Omusati regions. He is also expected to visit Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and the Zambezi regions.
Established in 1999, NATA was initially based at Keetmanshoop, but has since moved to Windhoek. “It is a brainchild of the Founding Father, Sam Nujoma, who believed that Namibians need an institution of excellence that is able to train Namibians from all walks of life,” said Hamukwaya.
When a 10-year contract between NATA and the Ministry of Works and Transport expired in 2009, its Keetmanshoop operation faced challenges and NATA moved to the Eros Airport.
Years later, the training academy is still equipping especially young minds interested in making careers out of their passion for flying. “The country’s destiny is in our hands. Let’s not expect experts from elsewhere to come and do the work for us,” he said.
