Omaruru: Omaruru Constituency Councillor, Hendrina Gebhardt, has described the imminent opening of a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre in the constituency as a breakthrough for young people who have long struggled to access post-school opportunities. According to Namibia Press Agency, Gebhardt mentioned in a recent interview that the facility, expected to open in the coming weeks under a government mandate, is part of a broader regional strategy to stimulate growth across all seven constituencies in the Erongo Region. Gebhardt stated, "Omaruru was designated to open a VTC starting in 2025, and that measure under government has now become a reality. As a constituency councillor, I am very happy, because this is a turning point for our young people." She emphasized that learners from areas such as Karibib and Daures often complete secondary schooling without viable pathways to further studies due to distance and limited resources. She urged the community to register and take ownership of this institution, as mandated by NDP6, emphasizing the lasting value of skills. Gebhardt's remarks come after Erongo Regional Council Chairperson Lazarus Kanelombe announced that converting the well-known 'Yellow Building' in Omaruru into a fully-fledged TVET institution is part of the Council's Strategic Plan for 2025-2031. During a recent council meeting, Kanelombe noted that youth unemployment remains a key challenge in the region, and the new council prioritizes the TVET project as a practical intervention. Kanelombe highlighted the abundance of job opportunities in the mining, culinary, fishing, and tourism sectors as a pathway to reduce unemployment and spur economic opportunities for the youth. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), the Erongo Region, with a population of about 240,000, continues to experience increased rural-urban migration. The regional profile identifies Omaruru, Daures, and Karibib as constituencies needing targeted suppor t to address poverty, unemployment, and limited access to services. The economic potential of these areas revolves around opportunities in small-scale mining, agriculture along the Omaruru River, tourism, and emerging small and medium enterprises. The establishment of the TVET centre is expected to complement these economic activities by equipping young people with practical skills aligned to regional industry demands.