Niël Terblanché
Young people aspiring to join the country’s growing oil and gas sector are set to benefit from a new partnership between the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (Petrofund) and SBM Offshore.
The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to launch a graduate trainee programme aimed at equipping local graduates with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the industry.
Nillian Mulemi, the Petrofund’s chief executive officer, explained that the initiative seeks to create a pipeline that will increasingly feed qualified professionals who can meet the demands of the oil and gas industry, which is still in its early stages in Namibia.
“The goal of this graduate trainee programme, through this memorandum of understanding, is to develop a pipeline of qualified professionals who can transition into entry-level positions and eventually full-time employment,” she said.
The partnership will offer young graduates hands-on experience in industry-specific tasks and expose them to advanced technologies.
Trainees will have the opportunity to gain practical skills within SBM Offshore, a leading global provider of offshore energy solutions specialising in floating production systems for the oil and gas sector.
“This initiative is particularly critical for PETROFUND, as it ensures that our beneficiaries and the youth at large not only acquire essential skills but also secure sustainable careers in the oil and gas industry for which they have been trained,” she added.
The MoU comes at a crucial time for Namibia, which has seen significant hydrocarbon discoveries since 2022.
Mulemi reiterated that local capacity development is central to the government’s local content policy, which aims to ensure that Namibians benefit directly from the growth of the petroleum sector.
“Local content development is a cornerstone of our strategy, particularly in the wake of these discoveries. By fostering strong talent pipelines, we are positioning Namibia as a competitive and self-sufficient player in the global energy landscape,” she said.
She added that the partnership with SBM Offshore is expected to bolster Namibia’s petroleum sector while promoting long-term economic growth.
Mulemi acknowledged SBM Offshore’s contribution, noting that such collaborations will help transform the industry and create sustainable employment opportunities for Namibian youth.
The signing ceremony, which took place at SBM Offshore’s offices in Windhoek and was attended by SBM Offshore’s business development director for Africa, Ousmane Aidara.
Aidara reiterated the importance of the collaboration agreement for the future of Namibia’s oil and gas sector.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Petrofund in this initiative. It is a major step forward in our efforts to equip young Namibians with the necessary skills for a sustainable, thriving petroleum industry,” he said.
He added that the partnership reflects SBM’s commitment to strengthening the local workforce and ensuring that Namibia plays a key role in the growth of the oil and gas industry.”
The event was also witnessed by representatives from the Malaysian High Commission to Namibia and the Dutch Consulate which is an indication of the international significance associated with the agreement.
