KEETMANSHOOP – Considering the emerging green hydrogen, oil, and gas sectors, the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) recently opened its doors for intakes pursuing courses for skills needed for these industries. During an exclusive interview with New Era, the VTC’s centre manager, Benedictus Diergaardt, said the curriculum was tailor-made to conform to the requirements and aptitudes for future vacancies in technical and other fields. “

Although the notion exists for giving preference to students from the two southern (//Kharas and Hardap) regions for admission, it must be clear that youth unemployment is a national challenge; hence, we have intakes from other regions as well so that all equally benefit from these opportunities, which is in line with president Hage Geingob’s call for inclusivity for all Namibians,’’ he said. Diergaardt further explained that the courses offered for these industries comprise solar installation and maintenance, water sanitation, coded welding, occupational health and safety, electrical engineering, fitting and machining and logistics and chain supply.

“I am further really impressed to observe that youth from the two southern regions grabbed this opportunity with both hands, but let us not forget that there is a general good representation from all other regions at the institution,’’ he added.

He reiterated that students are exempted from paying registration fees and that tuition fees will be covered through the free tertiary education government policy, whilst students should apply through the recommendation from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund for non-tuition allowances to cover their other and personal expenses.

Regarding logistical progress, he said, “A total of 140 students will soon be accommodated at our self-catering male-and-female hostels, whilst a cafeteria block and accommodation facilities for the caretaker and hostel matrons are under construction.”

Additionally, the staff complement should be fully filled by 1 April 2026.

Vice President Lucia Witbooi will officially inaugurate the Keetmanshoop VTC this Thursday (19 March 2026).

The Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) project in Namibia is designed to create approximately 15 000 temporary jobs during construction (spanning 4–5 years) and 3 000 permanent, skilled positions once the project is fully operational. 

The project aims for 90% of these jobs to be filled by Namibians.

-sklukowski@nepc.com