Operatec Maritime and Industrial Training College (OMITC) unlocked opportunities in the oil and gas sector for 15 underprivileged youth at Walvis Bay.

15 young people at Walvis Bay gained skills and knowledge to work in the offshore oil and gas industry.

They completed five courses, including basic rigging, fire watching and gas testing.

Through the office of the mayor, Rosy Khaxas from the Topnaar community was among those selected to attend the training at the cost of OMITC.

The college is the first institution in Namibia to offer this type of maritime training.

The director, Absalom Phillipus, is among the 50 riggers in the country, and he first did his training in South Africa when he was 19 years old.

He has since developed a passion for the industry and saw the need to bring similar opportunities to Walvis Bay.

More than 150 people have been trained since last year.

OMITC Namibia was established by Phillipus with an Angolan business partner, Alberto Figueiredo.

The partners invested about N$58 million on equipment, renovations, and construction of additional facilities for the institution.