Minister James Sankwasa Calls on Employers to Stop Demanding Experience from Young Job Seekers
By Aneli Fura
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has called on employers to stop insisting on prior work experience when hiring young people, saying the practice continues to shut out many youths who are eager to enter the job market but have never been given a chance to gain experience.
The minister said that many businesses are placing unnecessary barriers on young people by demanding prior work experience before offering employment.
Minister Sankwasa argued that expecting young job seekers many of whom are entering the labour market for the first time to already have experience is counterproductive. Instead, he said employers should be encouraged to provide opportunities that allow youth to gain experience on the job.
“In today’s competitive job market, it is unfair to deny young people the chance to work simply because they lack work experience,” the minister said, emphasising that opportunities for on-the-job learning are essential for building skills and reducing unemployment. speaking yesterday January 27, 2026, in Windhoek.
The minister’s appeal echoes broader concerns about youth unemployment and skills gaps in Namibia, Recent reports show that youth unemployment remains high, with many young people struggling to secure jobs due to strict qualification and experience requirements that exclude them from entry-level positions.
Youth advocates have long argued that employers and institutions should adopt more flexible hiring practices and invest in internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship programmes to help young workers gain practical experience. Policies that remove unrealistic demands for experience especially for entry-level roles are seen as a critical step toward improving access to employment for Namibia’s growing youth population.
Sankwasa’s comments come at a time when government and civil society are increasingly focused on job creation, skills development, and expanding opportunities for young Namibians to participate meaningfully in the labour force. While detailed official labour figures are awaited, scholars and analysts point to structural labour-market imbalances that require coordinated action from both the public and private sectors.
The minister’s appeal also aligns with ongoing debates about how best to bridge the divide between education and employment so that young job seekers do not remain trapped in a cycle of unpaid internships or repeated job rejections due to a lack of experience.
As Sankwasa continues to advocate for changes in recruitment practices, stakeholders say more concrete measures including incentives for employers to hire and train youth will be needed to fundamentally shift employment outcomes for young Namibians.
