Martin Wilkinson

With the Hyphen project set to bring economic and educational benefits to various communities across Namibia, we caught up with senior economic development manager Martin Wilkinson to talk about his work on employment and skills development plans, his involvement in Namibian tourism and his love for building furniture.

Can you tell us about your role at Hyphen and what you do day to day?

As senior economic development manager for training and development, I am designing the employment and skills development plans that aim to ensure maximum Namibian participation during the construction and operational phases of the Hyphen project.

My main focus currently is to identify the different types and levels of skills and qualifications that will be needed for the Hyphen project. This includes looking at training for entry-level school leavers, certification through a process of recognition of prior learning (RPL) for experienced but unqualified artisans, transition training for unemployed Namibian artisans, apprenticeships and internships, and support for students on higher degree courses when the site is operational and hydrogen is being produced.

I work closely with the Namibia Training Authority, Namibia University of Science and Technology and the University of Namibia to align the development of new technical and academic courses to the needs of the renewable and green hydrogen industries. I also work with youth groups, trainees and graduates to understand their expectations and their needs when exploring a future career in renewable energy.

Hyphen has recently signed MOUs with the //Kharas and Hardap Regions to convene working groups that will plan localised skills development initiatives. Nationally, Hyphen is about to launch an exciting skills census that will collect data from the Namibian population with respect to their skillsets, occupations, experience and qualifications. As part of Hyphen’s baseline studies, the skills census and national skills audit will guide Hyphen in developing training programmes and skills upgrades for unemployed artisans, while building a robust database of potentially available skills in Namibia. The skills census roll-out will be supported by Hyphen’s partners and stakeholders such as the Namibia Youth Energy Forum.

While the feasibility phase of the Hyphen project is ongoing, my role is to support the improvement of the green hydrogen production skills pipeline at an institutional level, where new occupations are identified, curriculum is developed, trainers are trained, and tools and equipment sourced. In strengthening the ‘upstream’ of skills development, a strong Namibian collaboration aims to create a cost-effective downstream multiplier effect that delivers competent, work ready Namibians for the construction and operations phases, not just for Hyphen, but for the whole Green Hydrogen sector.

What was your first ever job?

My first ever job was gardening for my local elderly neighbours. I mowed lawns and pruned their plants without much knowledge of what I was doing, luckily nature intervened and rescued me!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy being part of a process that is helping young people realise their hopes and dreams by getting a job in an occupation they’re passionate about.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in renewable energy?

Go for it! Renewable energy can provide more localised employment while realising exponential innovation and decarbonising the planet. The next tipping point will be understanding the economic advantages of producing local renewable energy for local consumption – that’s when traditional energy companies will put more resources into renewable energy.

Can you share an interesting fact about yourself?

I’m the oldest employee at Hyphen but try to remain fit and healthy. In fact, I recently surprised my colleagues by demonstrating how high I can ‘box jump’! Safe to say, they were impressed!

When you’re not at work, what do you like to do?

Being a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) specialist, and bit stingy (!), I walk the talk by making wood and steel furniture during the weekends. I made our family dining table, coffee table, balcony balustrades and steel gates. I’ve also plumbed in and tiled our bathrooms and enjoy the challenge of making items for friends and family that they found on Pinterest, so you could say I’m a bit handy.

For civil society, I have been the chair of a board of directors for a not-for-profit training provider that trains tour guides in Namibia for around nine years. The Namibian Academy of Tourism and Hospitality (NATH) trains students from disadvantaged backgrounds to become professional guides within their communities and beyond. Most recently NATH trained 20 San Community trainees, funded by the Namibia Training Authority, in the Bwabata National Park area of northeast Namibia. The nationally recognised Level 3 Tour Guide qualification enables the graduates to become employed at local tourist lodges or to become self-employed guides and tour consultants. NATH also runs short courses in specialised topics such as astronomy, desert guiding, coastal guiding and elephantology.

I’m personally motivated to keep NATH operational to ensure that young Namibians have a chance to learn about their own flora, fauna, geology and culture. In maintaining accessible avenues to learn about the glorious diversity of Namibia’s natural environment, NATH is providing young people with the opportunity to become intrinsic in protecting and preserving their home environment.

What are you most excited about for the future of the renewable industry in Namibia?

I’m most excited about the sustainable economic development that will take place and the benefits this is going to bring to communities. With Namibia’s infinite natural resources of sun and wind, employment in renewable energy can be localised, and that means families can stay together while a local economy grows around them with a harmonised community focus.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given during your career?

Let everyone in the room speak and be heard equally.