The collaboration between vocational training organisation the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) and mining, construction and engineering contractors Murray & Roberts Resources & Industrial and Murray & Roberts Electrical & Control Systems will enhance the involvement of Murray & Roberts at the Tsumeb and Husab uranium projects, in Namibia.

A memorandum of understanding, signed by the parties at the beginning of this year, will see Murray & Roberts Group offer NTA trainees and trainers internship programmes, on-the-job training and opportunities to become part of the group. The programme is open to welders, boilermakers, riggers, electrical, instrumentation and general construction trainees.

“We are exceptionally proud to partner with the NTA and are committed to this process. We have two important projects in Namibia where we are going to provide the training. “One is at the Tsumeb project with our partner, Outotec, which is fully supportive of the programme, and the other is at Husab,” says Murray & Roberts Resources & Industrial and Murray & Roberts Electrical & Control Systems MD Mile Sofijanic.

Sofijanic explains that, given the high demand for technical skills within the group, technical training constitutes one of the most prominent aspects of Murray & Roberts’ training and development interventions. Crucially, by engaging local resources, the technical training also promotes operational excellence and the safe working environment in which Murray & Roberts operates, Sofijanic says.

NTA CEO Ester Nghipondoka points out that industry partners such as Murray & Roberts Group continually assist the NTA in its drive to create meaningful job opportunities.

Murray & Roberts Group spent R260-million on training and development in the 2014 financial year – an increase of about R104-million on the R156-million provided in 2013. This spend equates to 2.7% of the group’s payroll, which is above the globally accepted benchmark of 2%.

Murray & Roberts’ continuous presence in Namibia for over 50 years, having started there in 1958, is testament to its desire to be part of the fabric of Namibian society and to operate in a sustainable manner, says Murray & Roberts Namibia MD Gavin Taylor.

“We remain committed to providing oppor- tunities for the upliftment of Namibian nationals,” he continues.

As a global engineering and construction company that draws its standards, expertise and knowledge from some of the world’s best professionals and most complex projects, we are certain we will provide a learning environment that is rich in quality,” Taylor concludes.