The Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, in collaboration with the German Government, has agreed to allocate over N$94 million for the 2024 Scholarship Programme for Namibian youth to study green hydrogen-related fields.

The Youth for Green Hydrogen programme offers scholarships to Namibian youth aged between 18 and 35 years in two categories related to the green hydrogen value chain:

The studies range from master's degree disciplines in applied science, renewable energy or sustainable energy systems, logistics, and supply chain management.

It also offers Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Certificate Level 3, 4, and 5 trades such as boiler making, bricklaying and plastering, plumbing and pipe fitting, welding and metal fabrication, solar and wind energy systems installation and maintenance, and business services.

The programmes are fully funded and implemented by the German Ministry of Education and Research and the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL).

The Green Hydrogen Project Expert, Shimweefeleni Hamutwe, has called on all youth who are interested and qualified to use this opportunity to apply and build capacity for the emerging green hydrogen industry.

Some of the trainees at Nakayale Vocational Training Centre are excited about the programme and are willing to apply.

In November last year, 93 young people were awarded scholarships to pursue careers related to green hydrogen.