What is CATS?
The Commercial Advancement Training Scheme (CATS) is a programme providing dual training to both school leavers and employees wanting to further their professional careers. CATS is a registered section 21 company - not for gain. It is a private initiative by the Namibian industry and currently consists of 21 member companies.
CATS offers two options: a two-year Diploma in Business Process Management and a one-year Certificate in Supervisory Skills Development.
CATS Diploma students are employed by one of the CATS member companies for two years. During this time they receive both practical and theoretical training. Practical training consists of on-the-job training at the company for four days a week, while another one and a half days are dedicated to theoretical training which is offered at NUST. On-the-job training means the trainee will rotate through different departments of the business under the guidance of a CATS mentor and supervisor. Theoretical training consists of education in business administration subjects by a training provider, currently the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
CATS Mission
We are dedicated to Vision 2030, the overriding guideline for development in Namibia, and thus to our objective of promoting economic growth through skills development and the creation of a skilled and reliable workforce.
Through our dual education system, combination of theoretical and practical training, we ensure that our graduates are equipped with the necessary applied knowledge, work ethics and hands-on skills to become immediately employable, and collectively equipped to lead Namibia on its way to Vision 2030.
CATS Vision
To become the training programme of choice for school leavers and employees who wish to further their education in the wider business area.
History
The dual education system has its roots as far back as in the Middle Ages when workplace-based apprenticeship training in crafts was introduced in the German-speaking European countries. This system is still being used and is one of the reasons for the economic strength of many European countries, their diversity and a strong SME sector.
In 2005, a group of internationally oriented Namibian companies seeking to build and strengthen local capacity without losing staff and school leavers to lengthy and costly foreign study programmes, introduced the dual education system CATS to the country. Over the last ten years over 30 companies have invested in CATS with 200 students having entered the programme to become part of a skilled and employable workforce.
CATS Board of Directors: 2022
Trudi van Rooyen
Portfolio: Chairperson
General Manager Human Resources
at Manica Group Namibia
Agnes Yeboah
Portfolio: HR
Human Resources Business Partner
at Bank Windhoek
Jurita Viljoen
Portfolio: HR
HR Business Partner at Pupkewitz Motors Division
Burghardt Grimm
Portfolio: Quality & Systems
Group Quality & Systems Coordinator
at Transworld Cargo
Armin Wieland
Portfolio: Digital Marketing
Founder and Managing Director
at V5 Digital
Alba Greeff
Portfolio: Finance
Compliance Executive at Wutow Trading
Friederike Baur
Portfolio: HR
International Trade Relations at Transworld Cargo