BLP Green Energy Namibia: Strengthening VET for the green energy industry in Namibia

Namibia aims to play a leading role in the field of green hydrogen and PtX technologies in order to promote sustainable energy production and economic development. The "BLP Green Energy Namibia" project supports the necessary adaptation and development processes of the Namibian vocational training system.

Initial situation/problem

Namibia aims to play a leading role in the field of green hydrogen and PtX technologies in order to promote sustainable energy production and economic development. One of the world's largest hydrogen production sites is to be built in southern Namibia in particular, which will result in a high demand for qualified labour. The "BLP Green Energy Namibia" project supports the necessary adaptation and development processes of the Namibian vocational training system.

A current study of existing education and training programmes in Namibia shows significant gaps in PtX-specific content at universities and in vocational training (TVET). Despite existing programmes in relevant areas, there is a lack of specialised modules. "In academic education, the qualification programmes offered by the University of Namibia (UNAM) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), in areas relevant to the PtX industry, were examined. Both UNAM and NUST offer programmes in engineering and non-engineering disciplines, renewable energy and science courses. In both universities, the specific modules on PtX were found to be limited" (GIZ 2023, p. 1).

The challenges identified also include a lack of qualified lecturers, inadequate laboratory equipment and low industry participation in vocational training.

Research question

  • Which new training occupations and qualifications are necessary and possible along the value chain in Namibia, with a focus on the production of green hydrogen?
  • In which existing training occupations and qualifications could content be added to strengthen technical readiness?
  • In what way could or should society be involved by the education system in order to strengthen social readiness?

Procedure

The first step is to identify occupations and qualifications that already exist in the hydrogen industry. This question particularly addresses industrialised countries that have a chemical industry and/or gas production.

In a further step, existing studies of occupational and qualification analyses of industrialised and developing countries will be analysed comparatively in order to identify similarities, trends and gaps through mutual contextualisation.

At the same time, interviews will be conducted in Namibia with stakeholders who are already working on the development of the hydrogen industry and a supporting education system.

In cooperation with educational institutions in Namibia, basic modules will be developed to enable the structural anchoring of the hydrogen topic in vocational training.

Results

  • Identification of existing occupations and qualifications in the hydrogen industry, focussing on industrialised countries with a chemical industry and gas production.
  • Comparative analysis of international studies on occupational and qualification analyses to identify common trends and gaps.
  • Conducting interviews in Namibia with stakeholders in the hydrogen industry and the education system.
  • Development of basic modules in cooperation with Namibian educational institutions for the structural anchoring of the hydrogen topic in vocational training.

Dissemination/transfer activity

The Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL) at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted an international seminar on 16 May 2024 to discuss developments in South Africa, India and Germany, in which Michael Gessler took part.

In mid-June 2024, the so-called "Hydrogen Week" took place throughout Germany. We took part in two activities: the BIBB conference and a workshop with Sustechnio, a training provider specialized on renewable energies.

At the ECER Conference 2024, there will be a symposium focussing on "Just Transition", at which we will present our results to date.

Literature

GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. (2023). Enhancing Employability: Skills Needs and Gap Analysis in Namibia’s PtX Sector and Recommendations for a Skills Development Programme. International PtX Hub (Download via the link in the blue box).

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