Petrofund launches TVET scholarships to boost oil and gas skills in southern Namibia
Nillian Mulemi at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Scholarship awards ceremony, Keetmanshoop, 8 April 2025
I am honoured and delighted to address you today as we officially hand over partially funded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships to 13 deserving Namibians at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (Nimt).
These scholarships, valued at N$1 069 900 over the next three years, will support students pursuing trades in boilermaking, electrical work, and fitting and turning. We are proud to commit to covering their accommodation, transport, trade test fees, meal allowances and pocket money, with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund supporting their tuition fees.
Today marks a historic milestone for Petrofund as we award TVET scholarships for the first time since the fund’s establishment in 1993 in Namibia. We recognise the critical importance of technical skills and qualifications in the emerging oil and gas industry.
This is why we partnered with the ǃNamiǂnûs constituency and Chevron to ensure that young people, particularly from our southern regions, have the opportunity to gain the skills and experience necessary to participate meaningfully in the petroleum sector.
The oil and gas industry is growing at an unprecedented pace. It is imperative that we accelerate our efforts to build the technical capacity of as many Namibians as possible, especially through TVET programmes in preparation for the much-anticipated final investment decision (FID) by operators in the sector.
Once the FID is announced, Namibia’s economic landscape will change dramatically, offering wide-ranging benefits both directly and indirectly to our people. I therefore urge all Namibians to prepare themselves and embrace opportunities that will emerge.
The impact of the oil and gas industry will extend far beyond exploration and production as it will boost sectors such as hospitality, transport, construction and more as we move towards production phases.
I must emphasise that exploration and appraisal activities are actively underway both onshore and offshore. As such, technical skills have become increasingly important and are in high demand. This is why Petrofund and its partners are investing in TVET programmes, particularly in regions close to the Orange Basin.
In this growing petroleum industry, skills in electrical work, boilermaking, fitting and turning are crucial. These fields equip trainees with hands-on, practical knowledge necessary for the safe and efficient operation, maintenance and construction of critical infrastructure such as pressure vessels, pipelines and electrical systems.
I therefore urge the new scholarship beneficiaries, as well as all trainees present today, to seize this opportunity with both hands. Dedicate yourselves fully to your studies and training – your future and the future of our nation’s petroleum industry depend on your success.
As I conclude, I am proud to share that this scholarship initiative aligns with Petrofund’s vision to develop local skills in support of Namibia’s oil and gas industry. It also underscores the commitment of Petrofund and its partners to building capacity within the sector.
This year alone, Petrofund is funding 77 students both locally and internationally across secondary school, undergraduate and master’s levels. Today, with the addition of these 13 TVET trainees, we bring the total number of beneficiaries to 90 students for the 2025 academic year.
This achievement cements Petrofund’s dedication to empowering Namibia’s youth with essential technical skills, laying a solid foundation for further specialised training in oil and gas and beyond. Our goal is to enable young Namibians to secure meaningful employment and contribute to the country’s evolving petroleum sector.
In closing, I would like to sincerely acknowledge the invaluable support of Suzan Ndjaleka, councillor of the ǃNamiǂnûs constituency, and Chevron for their contributions towards making this TVET scholarship programme a reality. I also extend my gratitude to Eugene Bingham, the principal of Nimt’s southern campus, for collaborating with us and providing our trainees with the opportunity to develop their skills at your esteemed institution.
Your collective commitment to this programme and to the broader petroleum sector is a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in local content and talent, particularly through training and education.
I thank you.
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