Oil, gas dream turns into struggle for qualified Namibians
SWAKOPMUND – A dream of employment in Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry has become an uphill battle for young Namibians who equipped themselves with internationally recognised training in anticipation of the country’s oil boom. Namibia’s emerging oil and gas sector has attracted several international oil companies, including Shell, TotalEnergies, Chevron, Rhino Resources and Galp,... The post Oil, gas dream turns into struggle for qualified Namibians appeared first on New Era .
SWAKOPMUND – A dream of employment in Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry has become an uphill battle for young Namibians who equipped themselves with internationally recognised training in anticipation of the country’s oil boom.
Namibia’s emerging oil and gas sector has attracted several international oil companies, including Shell, TotalEnergies, Chevron, Rhino Resources and Galp, which are conducting or planning exploration and appraisal drilling campaigns offshore Namibia.
The sector itself is expected to create thousands of jobs, though estimates vary widely. The government projects around 4 000 to 12 000 jobs over the next 30 years.
For Johanna Nehemia, that dream came at a personal cost after she withdrew about N$50 000 from her savings to obtain offshore training and certification in South Africa.
Nehemia, who currently works in the hospitality industry, said she made the decision after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged Namibians to prepare for opportunities expected to arise from the emerging oil and gas sector.
“When the President announced that all Namibians should embark on getting their qualifications ready because of the oil industry that is emerging, I took that step as an individual,” she said.
