By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
Young people aspiring to join the offshore petroleum industry have been warned that obtaining a Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) certificate is not a qualification for employment in the oil and gas sector.
This was revealed at the 3rd edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit last week.
According to the Country Head of Upstream Petroleum Unit and the patron of the Summit, Kornelia Shilunga, the misunderstanding that the BOSIET certificate has caused considerable confusion among many young people aspiring to join the offshore petroleum industry.
“There is an increasing misconception that obtaining a BOSIET certificate is itself a qualification for employment in the oil and gas sector. This is simply not true,” she told the Summit.
She explained that the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training is an internationally recognised offshore safety training program.
It prepares personnel to work safely in offshore environments by covering essential emergency response skills such as helicopter safety and escape procedures, sea survival, firefighting, first aid and emergency evacuation.
When a course is approved by the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization (OPITO), it means the training complies with their standards.
OPITO is the global organisation responsible for developing internationally recognised safety and competence standards for the energy industry.
The organisation approval assures operators that the training meets internationally accepted offshore safety requirements and equips personnel with the competencies needed to work safely in offshore environments.
According to Shilunga, young Namibians must understand that BOSIET is not an academic qualification, a professional qualification or a guarantee of employment.
“It is a mandatory safety training requirement for individuals who have already secured positions requiring them to work offshore,” she said.
The Patron also urged the youth to exercise caution and not spend their hard-earned money enrolling for BOSIET training as a way of improving their chances of getting a job.
“Your priority should be obtaining recognised academic qualifications, technical certifications, artisan skills and relevant industry experience. Focus on building your competence first,” Shilunga advised.
Adding that once one is recruited into an offshore role, their employer will advise on the mandatory safety training required, including OPITO-approved BOSIET where applicable.
The youth are encouraged to seek guidance from credible institutions and avoid misinformation that may place an unnecessary financial burden on them
The upstream head has also acknowledged that the country’s recent petroleum discoveries have placed Namibia among the world’s most promising emerging oil and gas destinations.
However, discoveries alone do not create prosperity, it is what the country does after discovery that will determine whether the found resources transform the lives of the people, she said.
Adding that the journey from discovery to development requires deliberate investment in people, institutions, businesses and infrastructure.
“It requires sound policies, responsible governance and, above all, a skilled and prepared workforce. The oil and gas industry presents enormous opportunities—but we are only at the beginning of the journey,” she reminded.
Commercial production has not yet commenced, and the development of the oil and gas sector will take time, planning and sustained investment before the first barrel is recorded.
Shilunga noted that there is understandable excitement across the country, but “we must guard against unrealistic expectations.”
She also updated on the Local Content Policy which intends to ensure that Namibians are equipped to participate meaningfully throughout the petroleum value chain.
“It seeks to maximise employment opportunities, strengthen local enterprises, facilitate technology transfer and build sustainable national capacity,” Shilunga explained.
She said Namibia’s Local Content Policy is at its final stage of development.
Once implemented, it will provide a clear framework for developing local skills and promoting meaningful participation by Namibians in the sector, according to the upstream head.
However, she cautioned that “local content should never be confused with entitlement.”
erastus@thevillager.com.na
