Bridging the talent gap to benefit from a green hydrogen sector

The green hydrogen industry is expected to create 180 000 direct and 400 000 indirect and induced jobs, promising a 53% employment surge by 2040.However, serious reskilling across the entire domestic economy should take place for these jobs to be filled by Namibians, a recent study has found.Most direct jobs in the green hydrogen sector are anticipated to be in the construction, business services, transport and manufacturing sectors.Talent gapsAccording to internal research done for government during the compilation of the Synthetic Fuels Strategy by McKinsey & Company, 62% low-skilled workers, 27% manual labour, and 11% highly-skilled workers would be needed by 2030 for the development of the hydrogen sector in Namibia."Unskilled jobs and certain low-skilled jobs, for example, technicians, can be filled from the unemployment pool if relevant upskilling and training programmes run by the developers are in place; no government-supported programmes [are] expected here. Major talent gaps are expected for skilled jobs, e.g., engineers and experts, due to the limited supply of new graduates under the &#039;business as usual&#039; scenario, which might necessitate the development of tailored strategic responses to bridge the gap," the report states.OpportunitiesThe study suggests that Namibia can develop four main responses to bridge the talent supply-demand gap by first upskilling and reskilling its passive workforce and graduating its labour force through new-designed trainings.Secondly, it is advised to encourage and train "next generations" by engaging the youth and establishing fundamental and educational programmes with the focus of getting them involved in the new green hydrogen sector."[Thirdly], bridge remaining talent gaps with foreigners and allow highly-skilled labour influxes from abroad by targeting the international workforce," it states.Additionally, the report highlights that the employment opportunities arising from capital expenditure and operational expenditure would be jobs in electrolyser assembly, as well as the construction of wind and solar farms and the operation of pipelines.Other jobs included in the supply chain for all direct jobs are construction manufacturing, basic metals manufacturing, and outsourced business services, as well as restaurant, house, and clothing manufacturing.The report also anticipates a demand for car manufacturing during this time.The report further suggests that Namibia&#039;s gross domestic product (GDP) would generate US$4.1 billion by 2030, a figure believed to grow to US$6.1 billion ten years later, in 2040.jemima@namibiansun.com

Bridging the talent gap to benefit from a green hydrogen sector

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

Please login to leave a comment

Bridging the talent gap to benefit from a green hydrogen sector

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

Please login to leave a comment

Login