Justicia Shipena
Three Namibians will undergo specialised subsea operations training in Malaysia. The training is part of a partnership between the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (Petrofund) and oil and gas service company Subsea7.
The trainees, Leonard Johannes, Erasmus Shikongo, and Rikardo Samuyumbe, are graduates of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) with qualifications in power and mechanical engineering.
On Thursday, Petrofund spokesperson Shoki Kandjimi announced that the candidates were selected for a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Pilot Technician training programme at the Netherlands Maritime University College in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
The fully funded scholarship, valued at over N$870,000, is provided by Petrofund.
“This training is part of our commitment to building national capacity and empowering Namibians to play a key role in the petroleum industry,” Kandjimi said.
Upon completion, Subsea7 will offer on-the-job training (OJT) and the chance to join its global offshore ROV workforce.
Petrofund will also support the trainees with Subsea7’s Competence and Assurance Programme, covering the costs of offshore safety and medical fitness assessments.
“ROV pilot technicians play a critical role in the oil and gas and marine sectors by operating remotely controlled vehicles in underwater environments that are often too deep or too dangerous for human divers,” Kandjimi said.
“This is particularly relevant for Namibia’s ultra-deep offshore waters.”
Kandjimi highlighted the collaboration between Petrofund, Nust, and Subsea7 as a key step in equipping Namibian youth with the skills needed in the upstream petroleum sector as the country nears its first final investment decision (FID) in oil and gas operations.
