Namibia’s Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) is taking proactive steps to meet the surging demand for skilled workers in the country’s expanding oil and gas sector.
With the industry transitioning from exploration to crucial phases like appraisal, field development, and production, PETROFUND aims to equip Namibians with the necessary skills.
According to PETROFUND CEO Nillian Mulemi, the Fund has already trained over 300 Namibians by the end of 2022.
“We are working to ensure that Namibia has the skilled workforce it needs to fully take advantage of the opportunities in the upstream oil and gas sector,” she said.
Initially focused on the exploration phase, PETROFUND’s training efforts addressed the skills required during the industry’s early stages.
However, with the recent discoveries in Q1 of 2022, the sector is moving towards appraisal, field development, and production.
To align with these changes, PETROFUND has adjusted its scholarship program to include Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships.
“Starting from the first quarter of 2024, PETROFUND plans to roll out TVET scholarships targeting the training of oil and gas workover crews. Collaborating with established oil and gas TVET institutions, we aim to support the sector’s upcoming phases,’ the CEO emphasized.
PETROFUND is also working closely with oil and gas operators and service companies to prioritize Namibians for job opportunities in the sector.
Mulemi said the organization has launched an oil and gas CV database, receiving 8473 CVs so far, to connect Namibians with training, internship, and employment opportunities.
She added that as the oil and gas sector in Namibia gains global attention and investments, PETROFUND is determined to harmonize local skill development with the influx of international expertise.
“The ultimate goal is to foster Namibian expertise and reduce dependence on international specialists. We believe our equilibrium lies in fostering Namibian expertise. The need for international specialists is significantly diminished where local talent flourishes,” Mulemi asserted.
Established in 1993 by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, PETROFUND relies on contributions from oil and gas companies with exploration and production licenses.
