WINDHOEK—Student bodies across Namibia have voiced their approval for the newly introduced youth internship incentive scheme, which aims to better prepare graduates for the job market. The scheme was introduced as part of the Income Tax Amendment Bill by Finance and Public Enterprises Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, marking a pivotal development in the country’s approach to integrating young professionals into the workforce.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the youth incentives scheme is designed to encourage employers to hire interns by offering a tax credit that covers half of the payment to interns. “The burden is going to be shared equally by the state and the company. That way, we are hoping that many companies will sign up as many interns as possible so that we can upskill and develop these talents that are graduating from our higher learning institutions,” Shiimi stated.
The president of the Student Union of Namibia, Bernard Kavau, speaking to Nampa, welcomed the incentive but expressed concerns about its potential misuse. “Our view as a union is that students who intend to do internships have always struggled to get that opportunity. For us, if they are incentivised, many students will have the opportunity to gain experience,” Kavau noted. He urged companies to genuinely train the interns rather than solely focusing on the financial incentives.
Dorothea Nangolo, president of the Namibia National Students Organisation, also spoke positively about the scheme, highlighting its alignment with the Work Integrated Learning Policy that promotes practical experience for students. She particularly praised the government’s decision to include a stipend for interns. “They are not just going to show up every day to get the experience they need, but also receive some sort of monthly allowance during their internship. That is something we really welcome because we are preparing our graduates for the job market,” Nangolo added.