Keetmanshoop: Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure high standards of service delivery within Namibia's vocational education sector. Steenkamp made the remarks on Thursday during the official inauguration of the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre (KVTC). According to Namibia Press Agency, the Minister provided an overview of the N.dollars 103 million facility, noting that the project was financed through a loan from the African Development Bank and represents a strategic investment for the ||Kharas and Hardap regions. She recommended that the first intake should come from these regions, with the rest of the country to be considered in subsequent intakes. Steenkamp emphasized the importance of positioning the KVTC as a centre of excellence through collaboration with other vocational training institutions. She urged that the first cohort of graduates be prioritized for employment opportunities in emerging sectors such as oil and gas, as well as green hydrogen. Addressing the centre's management, the Minister called for the establishment of a strong organizational culture supported by clear planning and strategic direction. She advised that this culture should be responsive to the institution's needs, with a clear plan and vision for running the centre successfully. The facility currently accommodates approximately 253 trainees and offers programmes aligned with industry needs, including solar installation and mechanical engineering. Steenkamp reiterated that students enrolled at the centre are exempt from paying registration fees, in line with the government's free tertiary education policy. The minister, accompanied by Vice President Lucia Witbooi, toured the facility's workshops, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled. Steenkamp concluded by stating that quality and inclusive education remains central to addressing Namibia's skills shortages and supporting long-term economic development.