WVTC TRC President speaks on Exams

(By Sylvia Hashondali)

Joseph Heizjambe, a Level 3 Plumbing and Pipefitting trainee at the Windhoek Vocational Training Center (WVTC), in Khomasdal, shares his insights on how examinations and assessments are structured at the center, and what can be improved to better prepare trainees for the job market.

Heizjambe, who also serves as the outgoing Trainee Representative Council (TRC) President, reflects on both the progress and challenges faced by trainees. At WVTC, examinations are designed to test both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required in each trade.

“Our exams are structured based on both practical and theory for the specific trade one is doing at the center,” Heizjambe explains, adding, “This helps us gain the balance we need between understanding concepts and applying them in real-life situations.” However, he notes that while the system is effective in preparing students for industry expectations, there are still some areas for improvement.

“The assessments do prepare us, especially because of the practicals we focus on,” he says, “But some of the materials and equipment we use at school are really outdated.” “Our exams are given to us only in one week, and we have four modules, and all those modules are written one after the other within that week. I really hope that can change, just to give trainees enough time to prepare,” he stated Despite the challenges, Heizjambe acknowledges that the practical assessments reflect what trainees have learned throughout their training.

“We usually get a few practicals during the training period, and most of the time those are the same practicals we do during our assessments,” he says. He also highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between theory and practice. “It’s not a big deal to balance the two because we need both to face the real world. The industry demand is high, and we cannot afford to focus on one and neglect the other,” he added.

WVTC, according to Heizjambe, has made significant strides in preparing its trainees for the workforce. “The institution has really been doing the most in this regard,” he notes. “There’s a positive influence because projects and mini-assessments help us improve our Continuous Assessments (CAs) and perform better in the main Namibian Training Authority (NTA) exams.”

As he prepares to hand over the reins as TRC President, Heizjambe leaves behind a call for greater confidentiality and transparency in results management. “Currently, all results are just sent out publicly, and there’s no confidentiality in the process. I would like the center to improve how assessment results are shared with trainees,” he said.