U.S Embassy Namibia Offers Internship to Poly Students

U.S Embassy Namibia Offers Internship to Poly Students

The Polytechnic of Namibia's Centre for Cooperative Education (CCE) and the United States of America (USA) Embassy in Namibia have signed an internship agreement that allows Polytechnic of Namibia students to to do their internship abroad.

This is the first time the Embassy entered a formal internship agreement with a local university and did not yet specify which field or course will be part of the internship program but students transport and accommodation will be covered by the US Agencies in Namibia.

"In Namibia, we hear quite frequently that students struggle to find jobs because employers are looking for people who already have experience and skills. Students ask "how can I get experience until I first get a job to give me that experience?" It's a fair question. I think the government and employers here generally agree that there is a skills gap that must be addressed," said Wanda Nesbitt, the US Ambassador at the signing ceremony.

Nesbitt says the agreement would help students become wage-earners and productive members of society.

The Rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia Prof Tjama Tjivikua says one of the requirements of Polytechnic of Namibia curriculum is that student should earn 10 percent of their degree credits by gaining real-work experience.

Tjivikua said that to facilitate placing of students in the work environment, three years ago the institution established the CCE specifically with a mandate to build partnership with industry for the purpose of work Integrated Learning.

"It is through partnerships with industry that we can keep our commitment to making our programmes relevant to industry," said Tjivikua, thanking the US Government for opening their hearts to the needs of the Namibian Nation.

Nesbitt said that universities are increasingly recognising that students also need life skills and work skills that will make them competitive in the marketplace and smooth their transition from book-toting student to briefcase-wielding professional.

She adds that employers are also realising something similar that internships allow them to groom future employees.

"When an employer looks at a resume and sees an applicant has internship experience, they see evidence of seriousness and motivation, which no amount of training can achieve," said Nesbitt.

Nesbitt also emphasised that although individual goals and motivations may differ, one thing these interns share in common is a "hands-on" learning experience that enhances and sometimes challenges what they learn in class and they don't only gain a career-related experience.

"They develop important life skills, how to work inside an organization; how to work and negotiate with different types of people, how to take constructive criticism, how to comport oneself in a professional environment, and perhaps most importantly, how to get the job done, such skills are crucial to success in any job," she said.