The Wolwedans Desert Academy provides a lodge-based campus in the NamibRand Nature Reserve: a natural, healthy and safe environment for vocational and life skills training where trainees can focus on what matters most – their education. In addition to acquiring skills and nationally accredited qualifications, trainees are exposed to the concept of sustainability as well as a culture deeply-rooted in values and mutual respect.

The training academy empowers young Namibians with skills and experience related to all aspects of lodge-based operations and hospitality, including courses on food and beverage service, kitchen, housekeeping and laundry operations, maintenance, guiding, and front office administration. Trainees learn the importance of working together whilst building confidence through exposure to a variety of departments in a supervised environment. Multi-skilling like this is an important aspect in the sector; it ensures that graduates are well rounded individuals that can slot into a variety of positions in any organisation.

Vocational training in the heart of the NamibRand Nature Reserve at Wolwedans – one of Namibia’s top travel experience destinations – is the perfect springboard to a career in the hospitality sector.

Going ahead, Wolwedans plans to expand these successful training offerings to include Horticulture, and Facility Maintenance. The latter has already been developed with approved unit standards and is a nationally accredited qualification! The same will be pursued for a Desert Academy qualification in Horticulture and then a curriculum will be developed for each to ensure a good balance of theory and practical training to give job seekers and entrepreneurs marketable skill sets and experience. 

For more information about the Wolwedans Desert Academy and its training programmes, visit https://wolwedansdesertacademy.org/.