Managing Director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, acknowledged that skills gaps exist in the oil sector, citing them as labour-intensive and often requiring more than one skill.

She is urging the youth to do their part and take courses that align with skills required in the oil sector in order to benefit when the country starts drilling in the near future.

"We are ready for business opportunities, and we ensure that Namibia benefits, not only from Texas, not only from royalties, but also from employment and business opportunities through service delivery. So it is time that we look up. I want to applaud young people for doing research and educating themselves, and please prepare yourselves. There are industries and petrol funds; it's also available for scholarships for that specific industry."

Hinda-Mbuende added that Namibia will only benefit from the sector when its citizens are ready to face these challenges.

She urged young people to stand up and take responsibility to prepare themselves for the market.

"It is our responsibility as joint venture partners to communicate also to the exploration companies that this is the skills net we have, and when it is justified, we can intervene, and so far, we have good cooperation; we have opportunities to expose our own staff, and also, we have opportunities to take up the youth intensive programme. We are ready to participate to see that we offer the required exposure to young professionals. Approach us; the jobs will not come to you, and opportunities will not come to you. You have to look out, and if you fail to identify and engage those who are on the forefront to pave the way or show you the way."