Namibia is moving to overhaul its qualifications system to respond more quickly to skills demand created by artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and other fast-changing industries.
The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) says the National Policy on Qualification Standards will allow qualifications to be developed and updated in line with labour market requirements, as technological change reshapes the skills employers require.
The framework will establish nationally agreed minimum learning outcomes and competency standards, while bringing education providers, employers, professional bodies and government together to determine the skills graduates need.
NQA Head of Qualifications Joseph Amunyela said emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence, oil and gas and the energy transition, are increasing pressure on Namibia’s education and training system to respond to new skills requirements.
“These emerging sectors require the nation to change and to be responsive. Qualifications must be developed in alignment with labour market demands, and Namibia will also develop a national framework on the recognition and quality assurance of micro-credentials to support upskilling,” Amunyela said.
The planned micro-credentials framework could become particularly important as technology changes the nature of work and increases demand for workers to continuously acquire specialised skills outside traditional full qualifications.
Speaking at an introduction and familiarisation session on the National Policy on Qualification Standards, Amunyela said the broader objective is to narrow the gap between what education and training institutions teach and the competencies employers require.
“A qualification in essence is a public promise. It is a promise to the learner who invests time and resources, a promise to the employer who needs to understand what the graduate knows and can do, and a promise to the wider public that qualifications are credible and verifiable,” he said.
Under the policy, institutions will not be required to offer identical programmes, but qualifications will have to meet nationally agreed minimum outcomes and competency requirements.
“The aim should be equivalent credibility, not identical programmes,” Amunyela said.
The standards are expected to be reviewed every five years, although targeted revisions will be possible when technological developments, new safety requirements or changes in industries require qualifications to be updated sooner.
This could allow Namibia’s qualifications system to respond more rapidly to technological developments rather than waiting for traditional qualification review cycles.
Khomas Governor Sam Nujoma said qualifications must remain relevant to the changing economy and the skills demanded by employers.
“We share a responsibility to ensure our graduates hold qualifications reflecting quality, integrity, relevance, and the competencies a competitive labour market demands,” Nujoma said.
He said the policy would establish a common framework covering schools, vocational training institutions, colleges, universities and other education providers.
“This policy therefore comes at an opportune time, providing a coherent framework so that qualifications from schools, vocational training institutions, colleges, universities, and other providers are developed, assessed, and quality assured to consistent national standards,” Nujoma said.
The NQA expects the framework to also strengthen the recognition and portability of Namibian qualifications locally and internationally.
