From oil wealth to national wealth: preparing Namibians for the jobs, industries and opportunities ahead
As we travelled from Hosea Kutako International Airport towards the center of the city, once again we were confronted with two realities of Namibia.
Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar)
As we travelled from Hosea Kutako International Airport towards the center of the city, once again we were confronted with two realities of Namibia.
The first is the Namibian bright asphalt of modern buildings, hotels, privileged neighbourhoods, roads and an appearance of stability.
The second exists beyond the asphalt of workers travelling kilometres to reach their jobs, young people without opportunities, and graduates who, after years of education, still cannot turn their knowledge into decent employment.
This is where the real debate about unemployment must begin not with statistics, but by reflecting if our economy is actually creating enough opportunities for Namibians to work, earn and build dignified lives?
The discovery of oil and gas presents Namibia with a historic opportunity. But we must abandon the illusion that oil automatically means jobs. Oil is a capital intensive industry requiring technology and specialised skills.
It can increase GDP without creating enough employment; attract investment without developing national companies; and generate wealth while much of the economic value remains outside the country.
We should stop thinking of how much oil exists and start to reflect on the real value that can be captured.
From employment to productive capacity
Our problem is not simply unemployment. It is also a shortage of relevant skills, professional experience, certification, competitive national companies and industrial capacity, not forgetting creativity.
Therefore, we cannot simply train people and expect the market to absorb them.
The logic must be reversed, first we must identify demand, then train, certify, provide experience and finally place people into jobs.
Before every major oil, mining, energy or infrastructure project, there should be a skills map identifying how many welders, electricians, mechanics, instrumentation technicians, HSE professionals, inspectors, equipment operators, maintenance technicians and logistics specialists will be required, which certifications will be needed and when these workers will be needed.
We should train for contracts, projects, real jobs and not for hope.
The first entry point is technical
We do not need to begin by training thousands of engineers. We need to create a broad entry point for young people through technical occupations that can be acquired and applied relatively quickly.
Industrial welding, pipe welding, rigging, scaffolding, mechanical maintenance, industrial electrical work, instrumentation, HSE, NDT, equipment operation, logistics and maritime services can create a critical mass of employable workers.
Then comes specialization of mechanical, electrical, process, maintenance, subsea, ROV, drilling and marine systems technicians.
Naturally, Namibia also needs engineers, geologists, geophysicists, environmental specialists and managers. But we cannot build only the top of the pyramid.
An industry does not function with engineers alone. It also depends on the technicians who execute, maintain, inspect and operate.
We do not need certificates. We need results
We do not want to be trapped nor confuse training with employability. If we train 5 000 young people and 5 000 remain unemployed, we have not created 5 000 jobs. We have created 5 000 certificates.
Therefore, public policy must measure outcomes on how many were employed, how many remained employed after 12 months, how many moved from apprenticeship to skilled employment, and how many created businesses.
Professional experience must also be treated as part of training. The state can share the initial cost of apprenticeships and paid internships, allowing companies to give young people the first experience they currently demand before hiring them.
From workers to suppliers
Here lies an even greater opportunity.
Oil does not create jobs only on offshore platforms. It creates demand for transportation, maintenance, security, industrial catering, construction, technology, logistics, inspection, maritime services, waste management, engineering and equipment.
Therefore, we should not prepare only workers, we must as well prepare Namibian companies to supply the industry.
Employing Namibians is not the same as building Namibian capacity.
This requires financing. A small or medium sized Namibian company may have the necessary skills but lack the capital for equipment, certification, insurance or bank guarantees. A National Industrial Supplier Development Fund could provide credit, guarantees, equipment leasing, certification support and technical assistance.
Without capital, local content risks becoming merely a façade for foreign companies.
Transfer knowledge, not dependence
Where foreign expertise is necessary, we should not demonise expatriates. We should ask how do we transform foreign expertise into Namibian capacity?
Every critical technical position should, where possible, have a su
