Africa-Press – Namibia. The Indongo Group officially opened its new Training Cent re on Monday, constituting an investment of around N$2 million. The project was carried out together with other dealerships and includes major renovations that comprise new equipment as well as preparing the centre for hands-on learning.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare inaugurated the training centre that is set to empower Namibians through learning, skills development and by providing opportunities to Namibians.
During his speech, the Prime Minister praised the private sector for its vital role in driving Namibia’s economic growth and development.
“Why are we doing this, because you know better than us, particularly in this sector. I want to reiterate our appreciation to you in the industries, whether it is in manufacturing or other sectors. You deserve a round of applause because you are making a profound contribution to what we aim to achieve,” he said.
Ngurare highlighted that the country’s first pillar of economic growth, transformation, and resilience focuses on private sector innovation and creating decent jobs.
He said that through its investment, the Frans Indongo Group shows how the private sector can play a direct and meaningful role in achieving the goals of Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). These goals include fostering inclusive, knowledge-based, and sustainable development for all Namibians.
He also spoke about the inspiring journeys of Namibian business leaders who rose from humble beginnings to national success. He mentioned examples of entrepreneurs who started as artisans and became some of the country’s top businesspeople.
“These are stories that must inspire us. Stories we should tell around the fire places, on television, and anywhere in the world where we can proudly say, ‘I am from Namibia, the land of Frans Indongo,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that the Frans Indongo Group has become a symbol of excellence, with its Toyota dealerships being compared to those in Japan.
The Training Centre was born from the belief to create a space where the youth can learn and grow, where the Indongo team can continually refine their craft, and where Namibia’s automotive future can be shaped through skill and dedication.
According to Tanja Beukes, Dealer Principle at Indongo Toyota, the new Training Centre will cater to 18 students at a time, in different intervals. It offers various training programmes for young people straight out of school, as well as for those studying theory at higher education institutions.
Beukes added that, the centre is Toyota-certified and will provide training for current technicians, as well as students who are completing online courses from South Africa. The Indongo Group is also exploring the introduction of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in Namibia a system where students learn theory at school and practice their skills at the training centre.
“This is a new phase in training. Before, our learners had to travel to Johannesburg for assessments. Now, they can complete both their practical and theory training right here in Namibia,” she said.
Toyota has also invested in a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme to ensure qualified trainers are available in the dealership to guide students and certify them upon completion.
The training programme is scheduled to run for three years, after which learners will qualify as technicians. The Indongo Group is currently seeking partners to help fund the Toyota Apprenticeship Programme. Information on applications and entry requirements will be announced soon.
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