Our country looks to be going through a ‘glow-up,’ and the world is noticing. Oil and gas exploration, the green hydrogen projects that are being developed, and a resurgent tourism sector all bode well for Namibia’s socio-economic future. As a young Namibian, this fills me with joy, but there is also some apprehension. Every day, we hear of an imminent economic boom, and the amazing opportunities it will bring our nation. My apprehension stems from my worry about this growth.
How can Namibians benefit and prosper from the oil and gas boom, and the various green hydrogen projects? Our government has been smart and is pushing for the employment of Namibians, going so far as making it a condition in the partnerships. I would not know where to start to find out if I would qualify for a job in these burgeoning sectors. This is a major hurdle for Namibians who want access to these jobs.
Despite the tough job market, I am fortunate to have a job that I thoroughly enjoy. Many graduates, however, face challenges in securing a job, with youth unemployment in Namibia standing at approximately 46%, as of recent reports. International companies and local players want to hire local talent, but connecting graduates, professionals and experts needs to be formalised. Streamlining and localising matchmaking between employers and potential employees is essential. This resource hub would be the gateway to getting information about relevant courses, qualifications and certifications in the oil and gas sector.
Job seekers must also understand that they may need to pivot regarding their education, qualifications, and work experience. If you are smart enough to get your university degree, or vocational training and certifications, you can retrain and fulfill sector-specific qualifications or additional certifications. As Namibians, we cannot expect just to have jobs handed to us; we need to be willing to retrain and upskill ourselves. This may take a year or two, but the oil and gas sector jobs will be here for many years. Be the first to embrace the opportunities that are out there.
As a graduate of Unam, I have a public management degree and a postgraduate diploma in project management, yet I work in a digital marketing agency. I am focused on corporate communication as a job opportunity opened in that field. This meant I had to get out of my comfort zone and gain various new skills. These new skills and activities have now allowed me to thrive in this very dynamic environment. I also became part of the team that created an online resource hub for the Namibian Oil and Gas sector. This platform serves as a news hub and job vacancy platform for employers and employees.
The oil and gas sector and the other industries that are now developing will need lots of third-party service providers. In my opinion, the peripheral industries and suppliers should be Namibian.
That is how we can truly benefit from the resources our country has been blessed with. Therefore, if you are not an engineer, scientist or forklift driver, there are plenty of ways to gain a footing in these sectors. With the thousands of jobs that will be created, there will be a need for catering, transport, logistics, housing, accommodation and clothing, to name a few. Be innovative, look at what your core competencies are, and how you can apply them to make yourself an attractive hire for the sector. Become a contributor to the socio-economic growth of Namibia for many years to come.
*Julie Hauwanga is the assistant project manager at Namibia Oil and Gas.
Photo: Julie
Caption: Julie Hauwanga