Garage owner employs fellow TVET graduates

A diesel mechanic graduate Ruben Shivolo, who is employed by a fellow technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduate, says that it is important for trainees to start their businesses after graduating to reduce the high unemployment rate in the country and support their family members.

Twenty-four-year-old Shivolo, who studied diesel mechanics at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), says that after four years of job hunting and failing to secure a job, he was employed by a fellow TVET graduate and together with other six graduates run a garage in Dorado Park where they repair, sell cars, and panel beat vehicles, among other services.

Shivolo emphasised the need for graduates who have completed TVET courses to create employment for themselves, enabling them to support their families.

“It is very important for those who did diesel mechanics to start up their own businesses in order to get themselves something or to provide something for their families and meet the government halfway. First of all you must have experience and be trustworthy to do a quality job for your customers,” says Shivolo.

News on One caught up with Seti Hafeni, an auto mechanic at the establishment, who said that there are a lot of opportunities for those who completed technical and vocational courses but remain unemployed to utilise their skills.

“See, maybe a mechanic in your area that has the same field as you are, go to him and talk to him if you are unemployed, qualified, and would like to work with him go for that experience and do not go for money for a high salary but at least be there for experience and opportunity because if you been down for years no one will take you,” stated Hafeni.  

The garage is located in Dorado, specialises in fixing Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. They also repair, sell, and service cars and panel beats, among others.