Namibia is expected to finalise a comprehensive skills development strategy for the green hydrogen sector by October, with the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) spearheading the effort.
Joseph Mukendwa, Head of Policy, Planning and Strategy at NGH2P, said the plan seeks to align training programmes with the country’s emerging industrial opportunities to ensure Namibians are prepared for jobs of the future.
He noted that findings from the Hyphen Skills Census would play a key role in shaping the strategy.
“We’ve taken that and we’ve actually built on it by engaging the existing projects to understand the exact qualifications and skill sets that are required and the quantities that are going to be required as well so that we can ensure our supply side can actually deliver,” Mukendwa said at the census launch.
The strategy is due to be made public by October, following a national task force meeting in the coming weeks to validate research outcomes.
“Hopefully by the end of September, sometime in October, we should be in a position to publicise the outcomes of this particular strategy,” Mukendwa said, adding that the timeline reflects a commitment to evidence-based planning and forward-looking industrial development.
Mukendwa stressed that the strategy focuses on creating dignified employment and avoiding mismatches between training and available roles.
“There’s nothing worse than having the Namibians educated, but there are no opportunities for them. So it’s important that we do the skills mapping properly, and that we train our people for the opportunities that actually exist,” he said.
The National Skills Task Force brings together representatives from both the public and private sectors.
Private sector members include the Green Hydrogen Association, Hyphen, the Construction Industry Federation, and the Namibia Employers Federation, while public institutions represented are the Namibia Qualifications Authority, Namibia Training Authority, and relevant ministries.
Mukendwa said the multi-stakeholder structure is intended to avoid duplication.
“The intent was to ensure that we have representation of all the key players so that when we have conversations around skills development, all the parties are around the table,” he explained.
He added that the strategy is designed to be both responsive to immediate skills requirements and to lay the groundwork for long-term growth.
It will also guide investment in local supply chains for roles such as welders, while drawing on international training where necessary.
