Government offices must pay for internships using their travel money to fight youth unemployment. Executive director Gladice Pickering revealed ministries received orders to use subsistence allowances for hiring young workers. Each ministry decides how many interns they need, making this approach standard across government departments.
Every agency must hire 15 apprentices, paying N$2,500 monthly for six months, plus 25 graduate interns, earning N$3,500 monthly for two years. Students Union president Bernard Kavau praised the move but complained internships don't equal the 5-10 years experience most employers demand. The National Students Organisation wants intern pay raised to N$5,000 since graduates often do identical work as staff earning N$19,000.
Labour expert Hebert Jauch criticized the allowances as insufficient to meet basic needs. He warned that the program cannot solve unemployment because Namibia lacks jobs for all graduates. Jauch suggested that interns should receive priority for permanent positions where they train. The real solution requires changing economic structures to create more jobs. Youth Council chairperson Beverly Silas-Garas applauded the directive, saying it provides students with practical skills plus economic relief.
Every agency must hire 15 apprentices, paying N$2,500 monthly for six months, plus 25 graduate interns, earning N$3,500 monthly for two years. Students Union president Bernard Kavau praised the move but complained internships don't equal the 5-10 years experience most employers demand. The National Students Organisation wants intern pay raised to N$5,000 since graduates often do identical work as staff earning N$19,000.
Labour expert Hebert Jauch criticized the allowances as insufficient to meet basic needs. He warned that the program cannot solve unemployment because Namibia lacks jobs for all graduates. Jauch suggested that interns should receive priority for permanent positions where they train. The real solution requires changing economic structures to create more jobs. Youth Council chairperson Beverly Silas-Garas applauded the directive, saying it provides students with practical skills plus economic relief.
