Renthia Kaimbi
The recently concluded 2026 Erongo Regional Career Fair that took place at the Walvis Bay Town Hall last Monday, drew learners from across the region to a vibrant marketplace of educational and professional possibilities.
Officially opening the event, the town’s mayor Johannes Shimbilinga, delivered a stirring address in which he described career fairs not merely as exhibitions but as vital bridges linking youthful ambition with tangible opportunity.
He highlighted the power of such platforms to connect young people directly with employers, training institutions, and industry leaders, enabling them to navigate their futures with clarity and confidence.
Shimbilinga urged the assembled learners to approach the fair with purpose, asking probing questions, exploring diverse career pathways, and acquainting themselves with the qualifications and competencies required to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
He placed particular emphasis on the imperative of preparing for the industries poised to reshape the region’s economic contours, notably oil and gas and the burgeoning green hydrogen sector.
These fields, he said, harboured significant employment potential, and he called upon students to embrace STEM subjects, technical proficiency, critical thinking, and adaptability as essential tools for remaining relevant in a job market undergoing rapid transformation.
Beyond the school-going audience, the mayor extended his appeal to a broader coalition of stakeholders.
He called on employers, educators, government agencies, parents, and communities to unite in a shared mission to equip Namibia’s youth with the skills, mentorship, and support systems necessary to build rewarding careers and, in turn, contribute meaningfully to national development.
The two-day showcase in Walvis Bay attracted a diverse array of exhibitors, including Tulipohamba Training & Assessment Institute, Welwitschia University, MTC SPECTRA, Namibia Correctional Service, the University of Namibia, Deep Yellow, Alba Chipamba Training Centre, Triumphant College, NamPower, NAMFI, FNB, NAMCOL, ICAN, Sunshine Private College, and the International University of Management, among others.
The career fair roadshow continued its journey to Swakopmund from 15 to 17 July 2026, extending the opportunity to a wider cohort of learners to engage directly with institutions and potential employers.
In closing, the mayor encouraged learners to take part in the Debmarine Namibia Educorner Programme and the Maritime Art Competition, scheduled during Maritime Week from 28 September to 3 October 2026.
These initiatives, he noted, offered invaluable insight into careers within the maritime sector and the broader Blue Economy, urging the youth to cast their net wide in pursuit of their futures.
