The Namibia Energy Institute (NEI), at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), together with other partner institutions, has been conducting a series of train-the-trainer courses aimed at strengthening the capacities of vocational training and higher education institutions in renewable energies, starting with solar technology.
The trainings were conducted under the Japan-funded project titled: “Strengthening and Building Resilience of Namibia’s Peri-urban Communities to Climate Change through Climate-Smart Agricultural Production, Access to Solar Technologies, Climate Information and Early-Warning System” implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The project aims to build the resilience of Namibia’s peri-urban communities to climate change through climate-smart agricultural production and access to solar technologies. It is envisaged that capacitating the vocational trainers will help improve the productive capacities of medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) and informal value chain actors in renewable energy and green hydrogen sectors for effective participation across the energy value chain.
This has culminated in a series of transformative training courses in renewable electricity and the PtX industry (including green hydrogen), born from this visionary project. The courses cover the areas of Off-grid Solar Installation and Maintenance, Earthing Bonding and Lightning Protection, Advanced Course on Batteries, Inverters and Charge Controllers, Safety Health and Quality Management, and Distribution Line Design and Construction.
The Acting Director of NEI, Ms Helvi Ileka, said the Institute, in collaboration with the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) and the National Training Authority (NTA) has hosted a series of train-the-trainer trainings in renewable energy technologies since March, 2024, which have been attended by over 50 trainers and lecturers from vocational training centres (VTCs), NUST and the University of Namibia (UNAM).
Training on Off-grid Solar Installation and Maintenance took place from 25 to 29 March 2024 at Eenhana Vocational Training Centre. The second course was Earthing Bonding and Lightning Protection which took place at NUST in Windhoek from 29 April to 3 May. A Safety Health and Quality Management course took place between 15 and 19 July and a Distribution at Low Voltage training took place from 22 to 26 July. The fifth course was Advanced Training on Battery Storage, Inverters and Charge Controllers which took place on 21 to 26 May, facilitated by the Institute for Decentralized Electrification Entrepreneurship and Education (ID-EEE), in collaboration with local company, Pupkewitz Megatech.
The last two courses on Safety and Quality Management and Distribution at Low Voltage, took place in July at UNAM José Eduardo Dos Santos (JEDS) Campus in Ongwediva, which houses the School of Engineering & the Built Environment.
With the help of GIZ, a partnership between NUST-NEI and the Technical University of Ulm (THU) was established. ID-EEE, which is part of the THU, has experience in the field of rural electrification, battery storage, and mini-grids. ID-EEE already assisted with the development of a curriculum for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teaching courses at NUST in the field of solar and storage system technology. Special elements about mini grids can be added.
Ileka said the trainings have further strengthened relationships between NUST-NEI, UNAM and the various TVET centers on skills training and research.
Through this collaboration, Ileka said, the courses are able to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of renewable energy. By leveraging the expertise of researchers, academics, and industry professionals from each partner, NUST and partners were able to develop cutting-edge training programs tailored to meet the specific needs of the TVET sector, ensure that the trainers are equipped with the latest advancements and best practices in solar system design and installation, enabling them to deliver high-quality education and training to their students.
In doing so collaboratively, NEI is not only seeking to expedite the growth of the solar photovoltaic industry, but also to contribute hastily to the development of the PtX market which is deemed to be a cornerstone for socio-economic development of many communities whilst mitigating climate change.
“The idea is to enhance practical training among those who have obtained theoretical training. We are focussing on the VTC trainers and lecturers from universities such as NUST and UNAM so they can pass on the knowledge to their trainees and students and can develop short courses for industry. We also want to see how the institutions can collaborate in sharing labs for practical training to enhance vocational training in renewable energy and increase the participation of Namibians in this sector,” said Ileka.
One of the lecturers who attended the trainings, Hilde Amushembe from Rio Rita, was instrumental in training 40 female solar technicians during a recent training facilitated by the just-ended GIZ-Green People’s Energy project.
Ileka said NUST, in collaboration with the UNDP, is in the process of procuring laboratory equipment for practical training on solar technologies. This will enable NUST to start transferring the knowledge to industry, engineering and TVET students by offering the short courses that have been developed together with the UNDP, ID-EEE, NTA and the KGRTC.
Tobias Nambala, the General Manager: TVET Regulations at the NTA, said the authority’s goal was to equip trainers in the TVET sector with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of renewable energy.
“Our shared vision is to empower trainers in the TVET sector with the skills and knowledge needed to master the complexities of the green energy sector. We are confident that through our joint efforts and mutual support, we can harness the wealth of resources and expertise available at each institution to drive meaningful change and advancement in the field of renewable energy through technical and vocational education,” said Nambala.
The trainers who have been upskilled through this initiative play a crucial role in shaping Namibia’s technical and vocational education landscape, he said.
“At the heart of our training of trainers intervention in the TVET sector lies a commitment to ensuring that our trainers are not only up to date with the latest advancements in their field but are also equipped to deliver relevant and impactful lessons that address the evolving needs of our society. By investing in their professional development, we empower them to provide trainees with the technical know-how needed to excel in solar installation systems while also nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit,” said Nambala.
