Hyphen launches skills census map for employment skills

Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) officially launched its Green Hydrogen Skills Census at its head office in Windhoek on Monday. The initiative forms a flagship component of Hyphen’s baseline studies and its National Skills Audit, undertaken as part of its commitments under the Feasibility and Implementation Agreement (FIA) with the government.

The census is designed to capture existing skills across the country and align them with the critical expertise needed for Hyphen’s project during both construction and operational phases. It is being carried out in close collaboration with key national stakeholders, including Namibia’s TVET sector, human capital development institutions, regional authorities, and socio-economic development agencies.



Database

The digital platform enables all Namibians to register their skills and upload supporting documents, contributing to a national job seekers database for the green hydrogen sector. Looking ahead, the skills census will guide Hyphen’s workforce development strategy, tailored not only to its project needs but also to the wider green hydrogen sector as it expands in Namibia.

Data collected through the census will inform targeted training programmes and foster institutional partnerships that align education supply with industry demand, ensuring Namibian talent is well-positioned to benefit from this industrial growth. The approach is being implemented in collaboration with the government under Hyphen’s FIA and reflects a shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

Hyphen’s Green Hydrogen project in the //Kharas Region is expected to create around 15 000 jobs during construction and 3 000 permanent roles once operations begin. The company is therefore calling on all Namibians, particularly young people, who represent more than 70% of the national population, to register on the platform and share the initiative widely within their networks.

Government partners at national, regional, and local levels are also encouraged to support and champion the census, ensuring maximum participation in what Hyphen describes as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The initiative aims to make Namibians active architects of their future in the country’s green energy transition.



Tangible efforts

Speaking at the launch, deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti, said: “Hyphen is investing in real, tangible efforts to ensure that as many Namibians as possible are meaningfully included and empowered to participate in the green hydrogen opportunity. Namibia\'s emerging green hydrogen ecosystem requires a wide and interconnected set of skills - from artisans and technicians to engineers, welders, data analysts, logistics professionals and project managers. Entire new career pathways will be born from this opportunity.”

Representing Namibia’s youth, Deon Shekuza, co-founder of Namibian Youth on Renewable Energy, added: “Namibia’s youth are the cornerstone of our green hydrogen workforce. Through the voluntary contribution skills census, we’re empowering young people to showcase their talents.”

Martin Wilkinson of Hyphen concluded: “These programmes will empower and employ Namibians, building local capacity. As Hyphen and Namibia embark on this ambitious and groundbreaking green hydrogen initiative, a diverse and well-trained workforce is critical to its success.”