Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is essential to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in Namibia’s oil, gas and green hydrogen sectors, officials have said.
During a public lecture at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) at Lüderitz, key figures from Namibia’s education and energy industries emphasised the critical need for advanced skills to meet the demands of these emerging sectors.
NUST Senior Lecturer Samuel John highlighted the current limitations of vocational training programmes in Namibia and the need for improvements.
“During my visit to several vocational training centres, including the Rundu Vocational Training Centre, I noticed that they train up to level three. However, for industries like oil and gas or green hydrogen, we need skills up to levels four, five and six. Basic welding skills from vocational training are simply not sufficient for these sectors,” he told the Public Lecture on Oil & Gas Activities In Namibia.
John further outlined the necessity to elevate training in other trades, such as plumbing and renewable energy installation, citing the complexity of large-scale projects.
“Installing rooftop solar panels is one thing, but constructing large-scale renewable energy projects—on the scale of megawatts or gigawatts—requires more specialised skills,” he said.
To bridge these gaps, NUST is collaborating with various organisations, such as the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) and GIZ, to develop programmes that will provide advanced training for students.
“This is just one example of a typical postgraduate programme we are developing at our institution. While it hasn’t been approved by the Senate yet, I’m confident we’re heading in the right direction,” John added.
He noted that NUST’s commitment to training is further extended through plans to establish a “learning factory” where students can gain hands-on experience in a simulated environment.
“This will mirror real-world hydrogen production processes, including desalination, renewable energy sources and hydrogen storage. This will allow us to provide practical training where participants can learn the safety aspects and gain experience in hydrogen production and management,” said John.
The senior lecturer also noted that while hydrogen production is complex, the university is working on demystifying the process through education.
Meanwhile, Veikko Shalimba, Associate Dean of the School of Engineering at NUST, reiterated the university’s broader vision for becoming a hub for green hydrogen research and development in Africa.
“We have a vision to become a hub for research and development in this sector, aiming to be recognised across Africa. Our goal is to establish ourselves as a centre of excellence in green hydrogen,” Shalimba said.
He further noted the importance of ensuring that students and graduates are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to excel in Namibia’s evolving energy landscape.
“This lecture represents a significant first step for institutions in building a future where students and graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to excel in this dynamic industry,” Shalimba remarked.
Highlighting the university’s growing international partnerships, Shalimba pointed out that several NUST students are already studying in Germany, focusing on the green hydrogen sector.
“We have numerous partners in Germany where our students pursue their master’s and PhD studies. It’s not just our students going to Germany either—next week, for instance, we have a master’s student from Germany coming to Namibia to conduct research in green hydrogen,” he said.
The need for specialised safety training in the green hydrogen sector was another point emphasised by Shalimba, particularly when compared to the well-established safety standards in the oil and gas industry.
“With green hydrogen, safety standards still need to be developed. To address this, we are creating a course on hydrogen safety to prepare individuals for work in this field,” he explained.
The public lecture also served as a prelude to NUST’s official inauguration of its Lüderitz campus, scheduled for 25 September 2024.
This new campus is intended to play a key role in expanding access to education and fostering innovation in the region.
Shalimba noted that “this campus will serve as a beacon of knowledge and innovation in the region, opening doors for more students and fostering community development”.
He noted that with Namibia positioned to benefit both environmentally and economically from the energy transition, NUST aims to ensure that its curricula remain aligned with the demands of the future, especially as sectors like oil, gas and green hydrogen grow.
