Employment

Mentorship Of Graduate Engineers And Technicians

It is widely acknowledged that there is a chronic shortage of capacity in the form of trained and qualified engineers and technicians in Namibia, and in many cases, also a shortfall in the mentorship of graduate engineers and technicians, particularly those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. LCE is aware of this, and apart from the promotion of employment opportunities in the field of Community Based Management Training, is therefore committed to creating and promoting opportunities for the training, development, mentorship and professional development of previously disadvantaged Namibians as much needed engineers and technicians. To this end, practical training is provided in a structured mentorship relationship and environment, which is geared towards the training and professional development of young students and graduates. In accordance with this policy, preference is given to individuals from this group who apply for bursaries and to those who apply to undertake the required one semester of practical training towards a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST; previously the Polytechnic of Namibia) (see elsewhere). Upon their employment with LCE, young graduates are required to register with the Engineering Council of Namibia as being “In-Training”, in accordance with their qualifications, where after their mentorship and training are geared towards facilitating their professional registration.

In-Service Training Of Engineering Students

In order to promote the development and training of Namibian engineers and technicians, LCE frequently provides in-house training opportunities to students of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST; previously the Polytechnic of Namibia), who are required to undergo one semester (6 months) of Work Integrated Learning, in-service or practical training during their studies towards a National Diploma in Civil Engineering. Training is also provided to Namibian bursary holders at South African Universities.

Over the years, several NUST / Polytechnic of Namibia students, all from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, have successfully undertaken their compulsory semester of practical training with LCE. Ms. Lubasi was awarded the prize for being the top civil engineering student in her class in 2002, based on the evaluation of her practical training done at LCE. Mr. De Waal went on to be the top civil engineering student in his class in 2003, the year following his practical training with LCE. Mr. De Waal was furthermore the overall best engineering diploma student at the Polytechnic of Namibia in 2003.

Several other students, most from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, have also successfully completed practical training at LCE as shown in the table below.

Record of Students Who Have Undergone Training at LCE

Affirmative Action Policy

LCE was registered under the Employment Equity Commission’s Affirmative Action Programme between 2006 and 2016, and handed in an Affirmative Action Report every year between 2007 and 2015. A combined management-employee Affirmative Action Consultative Committee is the channel through which affirmative action changes are communicated to employees prior to implementation.

It is LCE’s aim to apply a positive and continuing programme, to provide equal opportunity to all employees, to prohibit all discrimination and to provide training to all employees, especially those employees who have in the past been disadvantaged in the advancement of their careers and, in fact, to promote from internal sources wherever and whenever practical. Over recent years, the majority of LCE’s workforce has consisted of previously disadvantaged Namibians or designated employee groups.

General Employment And Gender Policies

It is LCE’s policy to give priority to the employment of suitably qualified, previously disadvantaged Namibians. In accordance with this policy, LCE employs numerous previously disadvantaged persons from the Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati and Zambezi Regions of Namibia when projects are implemented in these regions. These staff members have the responsibility of managing, training and implementing the Government’s Community Based Management (CBM) policy on community-driven projects undertaken by LCE in the northern regions of Namibia. All CBM activities in the northern Branch Offices are manned and managed exclusively by members of this group. In keeping also with the philosophies of capacity building and continued professional development, these LCE staff members are afforded the opportunity of undergoing a one week training course on a regular basis.

In order to promote gender equality, preference is given to women with the employment of previously disadvantaged Namibians. In recent years, at least half of the CBM Training Team have been women, who also feature prominently in the managerial positions within the CBM Training Team.