Twenty-nine people received vocational training skills in the trade of brickmaking from the Ohorongo Buildit Brickmaking Academy, at Rundu today (9 March 2018).
Kavango West is one of the regions without vocational training facilities in the country. It is also one of the regions with a high poverty rate.
“We believe that the Brickmaking Academy is one of the best tools through which we can give people in this region real hope of eradicating poverty and the belief that anything is indeed possible if you put your mind and heart to it,” said Mr. Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, Managing Director of Ohorongo Cement.
During the brickmaking training session, the trainees received guidance on the right aggregates that is most beneficial to use during the brickmaking process. Beyond the training, Ohorongo Technical Team, together with a support team from Buildit stores, will continue to give technical assistance and advice to the trainees, to ensure the best outcome and high quality bricks.
As a permanent offset area for their products, Buildit Group has committed to buy the bricks produced by the trainees, pending adherence to strict quality control measures.
“It is the bags of cement sold to our customers that are made into bricks and blocks that keeps the economy growing and enables people to build better and stronger houses, schools and places of work – employment grows, people prosper, children get better education and businesses can continue to thrive and grow,” said Paul Hinson, Category Buyer for the Buildit Group.
The Governor of Kavango East Governor, Sirkka Ausiku, was unable to attend the event, however, commented that they welcomed the initiative to the region, saying that big corporates should emulate the initiative by the two companies and “strive to empower the local population and make a positive difference beyond their operations.”
The Academy is the result of the Smart Partnership between Ohorongo Cement and one of its customers, the Buildit Group, established in March last year, in support of government’s development policies, as well as poverty eradication efforts. It is envisaged that, if the trainees set up their own business and each employ 2 people, it could result in the creation of 630 additional jobs.
Trainee selection are done through liaison with the various Regional Governors’ offices. Brickmaking training for Kavango West was held in Rundu for logistical reasons.
The next brickmaking training will be held in Kunene Region next month.
