Mobile Telecommunications (MTC) Ltd has announced the launch of ‘MTC 4LIFE’, a socio-economic undertaking aimed at tackling poverty by mitigating youth unemployment through empowering Namibians to become self-employed within the SME sector.
The project, which will be funded to the tune of N$2.6 million, aims to provide training and an upscaling programme for young people between the ages of 21-35 years, to gain practical and entrepreneurial skills with life changing opportunity to earn a livelihood in the fields of photography, graphic design, haircutting, makeup, nail technology, hairdressing, catering, sewing, baking and manufacturing.
“The project will aid and empower at least 50 youth individuals from all 14 regions, who will be identified to receive business and financial training, and start-up toolkits to allow them to start their own micro businesses immediately after training,” said MTC’s Chief Human Capital, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Officer Tim Ekandjo, adding that the initiative is an innovative project aimed at making other people’s dreams come true across all business types.
The beneficiaries will be trained by 10 professions from the chosen fields.
In each of the professions identified, MTC has partnered with a reputable and previously disadvantaged SME Namibian company within that profession to provide the individual candidates with the practical training which will last between 3 to 10 days.
Ekandjo said in order to fully equip the candidates in their respective trades, an entrepreneurial course will also be offered to complement the offered practical training.
“In addition to practical training, the candidates will also undergo a full entrepreneurship training course through the project’s partner, Twapewa Kadhikwa Entrepreneurship Academy. The academy will train and manage these candidates on their journey to ensure they become successful self-employed citizens,” he said.
Entrepreneur Twapewa Kadhikwa said the training will strictly introduce trainees to local-tailored business behaviours and how they can grow their businesses.
“Competence runs an enterprise, and it comes with a full determination of what you want to do. So, we will be sharpening your skills to make sure that your businesses grow and you are able to transfer skills to the next person,” she said.
