Skip to content

AltGen Namibia at the Global African Hydrogen Summit 2024

AltGen Namibia at the Global African Hydrogen Summit 2024

Not the article you were looking for?  Browse our other resources here.

AltGen Namibia : Global African Hydrogen Summit 2024 

On the 5th of September, AltGen Namibia’s Naydene Varnicker attended and presented at the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Namibia. The event marked a global gathering of energy leaders, each committed to exploring solutions to the challenges faced by Namibian low-carbon hydrogen projects. Of particular importance, was the discussion on the impact of hydrogen projects on local communities. 

Naydene, Business Development Manager for AltGen Namibia, spoke about the potential transformative effect that green hydrogen projects may have on both the global energy landscape and Namibian communities.

Powering and Empowering the Youth and Our Communities 

 

With its abundance of natural resources and strategic location, Namibia is perfectly positioned for the development of renewable energy projects of all technologies. As green hydrogen projects shift from ideation into reality, the importance of creating energy ecosystems within Namibian project communities is becoming more crucial. The youth, as any nation’s most valuable asset, need to be included in the development of the green hydrogen ecosystems in Namibia.

 

“Namibian youth stand on the cusp of creating solutions that balance ecological sustainability with economic opportunities. It is imperative that we engage and inspire them in this journey.” 

Naydene Varnicker, Business Development Manager – AltGen Namibia

 

There is, however, a lack of awareness in the youth about career paths in the green hydrogen sector and a staggering youth unemployment rate of 46,1% in Namibia. Naydene highlighted the importance of providing accessible knowledge and training opportunities for the Namibian youth. 

 

The responsibility of facilitating this education arguably lies with both public and private project stakeholders which includes the government, universities, technical colleges and community forums. In her presentation, Naydene also considered the potential that local competitions hold in empowering the youth through the celebration of ideas and collaboration. 

In an effort to be a meaningful and intentional part of the energy transition in Namibia, AltGen has partnered with the Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF). The Global African Hydrogen Summit in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, presented the perfect opportunity to announceme this partnership. The NYEF is dedicated to engaging and empowering the next generation to actively participate in and shape the country’s energy landscape. 

Challenges & Gaps: Building holistic and diverse teams

 

The transformative potential of green hydrogen projects lies both in their diversity of application and in the diversity of the teams that need to be built to make these projects successful. 

 

“The path to an inclusive green hydrogen economy lies before us, a mosaic of action that transcends borders, organisations, and individual ambitions. Let us stride forward with a shared commitment to accessibility, fairness, and inclusivity.”

Naydene Varnicker, Business Development Manager – AltGen Namibia

 

The challenges that green hydrogen and other energy projects face will likely look different in the coming years. Therefore, skills must continue to develop to address the new challenges that innovation presents. One way in which businesses can mitigate the risk of falling behind is to invest in and prioritise the building of teams that reflect the diversity of the community. (Pssst! Read our article about The benefits of diverse hiring and ‘using the whole brain’ here!)

Final thoughts…

AltGen has extensive experience in the Namibian skills market and is ready to assist businesses in meeting their hiring milestones as projects get closer to the commercial operation stage – ensuring that local talent is secured. Community engagement and social-economic development are at the core of what we do. 

Our highly specialised team is ready to help your team achieve its economic development goals through initiatives that matter. 

Reach out to Naydene to discuss how your business can create or further advance your existing ED initiatives through the strategic involvement of both the youth and local project communities. 

OPERATING HOURS

Monday – Friday
8am – 5pm

HEAD OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS

Office no.1, 3rd Floor
Maerua Office Towers, Maerua Mall
Windhoek
T: +264 (081) 144 8362 
E: jobs@altgen.com.na

Sean Gibson

Managing Director

“AltGen is all about effecting change, through people. With integrity, and passion”. 

Managing Director and Founder of the AltGen’ Group. Sean has played a pivotal role in steering and leading the vision and mission of AltGen, making AltGen the only highly specialist renewable energy recruitment firm operating within the renewable energy and sustainability space in Africa. Sean oversees the success of the entire group of AltGen companies.

Sean holds a Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University as well as an Honours degree from Rhodes University

Robert Veith

Sales Director

“Without quality and intelligent effort, there is no success and no reward.”

Joining AltGen in 2014, Robert started as a Recruitment Consultant and has since become our Recruitment Director overseeing the Recruitment and Executive Search division. Robert has extensive experience in securing talent for rare skills in the energy engineering market, including skills to the likes of Power System Engineers, SCADA Engineers, Project Developers and Electrical Engineering skills specific to design.

Through Robert’s leadership, each recruitment team is enabled to focus on their specific area of expertise, ensuring all client hiring needs are met. Through Robert’s years of dedication to sourcing and securing top talent in the industry, he has a wealth of insight into the skills market and provides our clients with a competitive advantage in a scarce skills environment enabling them to effectively execute on some of the most challenging renewable energy projects across Africa. Robert is also responsible for growth of the engineering recruitment team.

Robert holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management from UNISA as well as a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering from CPUT.

Lindy Taylor

Business Development & Innovation Director

“The success of an organisation is defined by its people.”

As the Innovation & Business Development Manager, Lindy is responsible for the marketing and business development activities of AltGen. Through her big picture vision, Lindy has enabled AltGen to remain responsive in the cleantech space. She is responsible for engagements with new clients.
 
Lindy initially joined AltGen in 2015 and has grown into being an integral member of the senior management team. She ensures a collaborative approach with clients catering to their custom needs. Her focus is on attaining new clients, as well as handling contractual relationships with new and existing stakeholders.
 
Lindy holds a Bachelor’ Degree in Social Sciences from Rhodes University.

placeholder image

Chris Roetz

Workforce Management Services: General Manager

“My goal is to deliver exceptional operational performance within AltGen – Northern Cape building on people, energy and sustainability”

Chris Roetz oversees AltGen’s Workforce Management division in the Northern Cape. He is responsible for the successful execution of HR advisory and management services for clients’ utility-scale projects in the region. Currently, Roetz mobilises an outsourced staff complement of over 200 employees. He also steers AltGen’s Solar Works programme in conjunction with his Pofadder based team.

Chris has 20 years of professional experience in an HR and outsourced staffing capacity within the energy environment and holds a National Diploma in Human Resource Management from UNISA.

placeholder image

Muslim Janoowala

Consulting Services: Senior Consultant & Business Development Lead

“My focus is to be able to do impactful work, being in the front lines of the development sector finding solutions to safe and reliable drinking water, power and sanitation”

Muslim Janoowala drives AltGen’s consulting services arm. Muslim has 10+ years of experience in the renewable energy, water and general engineering space in Eastern Africa and has played an instrumental role in the success of AltGen consulting engagement on the AFD Green Mini-grid Programme in Kenya. His expertise caters to M&E activities, project management, impact analysis and assessments of funded water and renewable energy programmes that “enlighten” and uplift communities in rural Africa.

Muslim holds an MSc in Construction Management from Cass Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering in Architectural Environment Engineering from the University of Nottingham.

placeholder image

Wiehahn de Jager

Senior Consultant & Team Lead

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

Wiehahn de Jager has specialist recruitment expertise in the finance sector and has worked on various mandates for large international and national clients on both a retained and contingency basis. Wiehahn has gained an in-depth understanding of the professional skills operating within the capital markets, fin-tech, and green finance space, with a keen focus on talented professionals within the African context. He has a strong track record successfully working on a range of skill levels, from Directors to Analysts, with a special focus on professionals from mid-level up to Corporate Executives.

Wiehahn holds a Bachelor in Law from the University of Stellenbosch.

placeholder image

Robert Slater

Senior Consultant & Team Lead

“I love to serve people and be the steppingstone between them and their dream job.”

Robert Slater is an expert in the talent acquisition of carbon management, environmental and social governance-related professionals across Africa. Robert has successfully closed mandates for clients who are focused on sourcing skills with experience in climate change, clean cooking, sustainability, and agricultural environments.

Slater cares deeply for people and the planet, he has a Life Coach Training certification from New Insights and volunteers at ON A MISSION, an NPO which enables businesses and individuals to invest in carbon offset projects. He holds an Honours Degree in Environmental Management from UNISA.

placeholder image

Natascha Marais

Consultant

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. I look for people who want to change the world and introduce them to like-minded companies.”

Natascha Marais is highly skilled when it comes to sourcing those “unicorns” for our clients in the OEM, AI and technology, economic development, and legal spaces.

Natascha has proven experience in identifying and onboarding professionals to the likes of business developers, sales, and account managers as well as technical sales or software developer skills.

Marais holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Law from Pearson Institute.

COMPLETE THE FORM

If you are serious about moving to the UK and are a PV Design Engineer or have engineering experience in offshore wind, in grid & transmission/network planning, or sub-station design and construction then let us know!
Industry experience (these fields include industries that you have worked in for 1+ years)
Technologies experience (these are technologies that you have hands on experience with - amounting to 1+ years)
Max. file size: 64 MB.
Max. file size: 64 MB.
Do you give AltGen consent to keep your information on our database?(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.