Namibian youth have been urged to prepare for the emerging oil and gas sector.
The call was made during the Oratores Novi Oil and Gas Edition debate competition held in Windhoek.
Held under the theme "NDP6 and the energy sector: Exploring youth perspectives in national resource development", the competition brought together learners and educators to discuss the country's petroleum future.
In her speech, the Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, Kornelia Shilunga, urged the learners to prepare themselves for opportunities in the country's emerging sectors.
She emphasised that a successful petroleum industry requires more than extraction, but skills development, local enterprises, technology transfer, research and strong institutions.
Shilunga's statement was delivered on her behalf by the founder of Oratores Novi, Ndayola Mulongeni.
"For the learners in this room, that responsibility begins with becoming informed about the country and the economy in which we will virtually work and lead. It means understanding that the opportunities associated with oil and gas extend across many disciplines and that the skills we develop today can determine the extent to which we are able to participate tomorrow."
She encouraged the participant to take their studies seriously, explore career pathways, and develop the critical thinking skills that debate helps build.
Justina Kabuku is a geoscientist at NamCor.
"What I've discovered about oil and gas is that there really is a place for every single person. Because what we tend to forget is that many times we focus on 'I want to be a geologist, I want to be an engineer, but people on the rig also fall sick, so we also have medics, doctors, nurses, and caterers, because people still need to eat."
Cabinet and industry experts continue to stress that Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector will require a wide range of skills beyond the traditional technical roles.
Hage Secondary School emerged as the overall champion at the inaugural Oratores Novi Oil and Gas Debate. Westmont High School was named First Runner-Up, while Centaurus High School took Second Runner-Up.
The competition also recognised individual debaters for their analytical abilities and eloquence. Wisdom Kambara from Centaurus High School secured first place, followed by Joel Uushona from Westmont High School in second place.
Loide Kamati from Augustineum Secondary School and Johannes Johannes from Hage Secondary School shared third and fourth places, respectively, while Jared Kandi from Centaurus High School completed the top five in fifth place.