Baumgartbrunn Vocational Training Academy has strengthened its role in supporting skills development in Namibia, especially as demand for qualified welders continues to rise.
The academy is registered as a Section 21 company, meaning it operates as a non-profit organisation focused on training and community development rather than making a profit.
The academy is a member of WeldNAM, the national body that sets standards for the welding industry. This membership ensures that Baumgartbrunn’s training programmes meet recognised industry requirements and prepare students for real workplace expectations.
GSI- gsi slv gesellschaft für schweißtechnik international, a service provider in the field of joining, cutting, and testing technology, will be sponsoring this initiative. It is expected the entity will evolve into GSI Namibia.
The course will focus on basic maintenance welding training. Their goal is to help workers develop essential skills that will not only improve their technical abilities but also enhance their livelihoods by opening new employment opportunities and fostering career growth.
The training ran from 17 to 21 November. It was conducted by experienced trainers from GSI, with additional support from the Namibia Institute for Mining and Technology (NIMT), who share the commitment to promoting welding as a trade.
Managing director of the academy, Albin Jacobs, said this is an important step in building local knowledge and skills in advanced welding. The IIW provides internationally recognised certification qualifications that many global companies expect when operating in Namibia.
“We decided to focus on welding as a trade because, with the emergence of the oil and gas sector as well as the green hydrogen industry in Namibia, welding has been identified as one of the most critical skills needed for the country’s future development. These industries rely heavily on high-quality welding, and without a skilled workforce, Namibia would struggle to participate in and benefit from these opportunities fully,” said Jacobs.
WeldNAM, now hosted by the University of Namibia , will soon offer a Welding Engineering programme under the International Institute of Welding (IIW) framework. The academy said national needs drove the decision to focus on welding.
“With the growth of the oil and gas sector and the rise of the green hydrogen industry in Namibia, welding has become one of the most critical skills for the country’s future. These industries depend on high-quality welding. Without skilled welders, Namibia could miss out on major opportunities,” he said.
He added, that the challenge is that welding in Namibia must be elevated to international standards, such as ISO standards and other globally recognised benchmarks. This is essential to ensure that our welders can compete and collaborate on projects that demand world-class expertise.
Up until now, no one has offered these certification courses in Namibia. This gap is a serious obstacle to industrialisation. For the country to grow and attract international investment, certified welders must be available to meet the demands of large-scale projects.
“We also see tremendous opportunities for Namibians in welding, provided they receive the right training. With proper skills development and certification, local workers can access jobs that not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to the broader economic growth of Namibia,” he said.
Looking ahead, GSI will play an even larger role in Namibia’s welding education landscape. Starting in early 2026, the company will be responsible for offering the International Institute of Welding training courses in Namibia, with a base in Swakopmund. This development will further strengthen the country’s capacity to train welders to international standards.