Development of Occupational Standards Key to Zambia’s Energy Goals
The Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) has launched the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the energy sector, a move aimed at strengthening skills capacity to support the Government’s ambitious energy expansion programme.
ZAQA Director General, Mrs Mercy Ngoma, said the Government’s target of adding more than 2,600 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by the end of the year can only be achieved with a competent, adaptable and industry-responsive workforce.
Mrs Ngoma made the remarks while officiating at the opening of a multi-stakeholder workshop on the development of National Occupational Standards in the energy sector. The workshop has brought together participants from the Ministry of Energy, academia and the energy industry.
She noted that the urgency to develop relevant and future-ready skills has increased as Zambia accelerates investments in energy infrastructure and emerging technologies.
Participants at the workshop are expected to develop occupational standards for six key professions: Renewable Energy Engineer, Energy Policy Analyst, Nuclear Scientist, Smart Grid Technician, Energy Efficiency Specialist and Power Systems Engineer.
Mrs Ngoma emphasised that under the Zambia Qualifications Authority Act No. 8 of 2024, ZAQA is mandated to ensure that qualifications attained by Zambians are relevant, of high quality and internationally comparable.
Central to this mandate, she said, is the development of National Occupational Standards, which define the competencies, knowledge and skills required for specific occupations and serve as an industry benchmark for skills development.
She observed that the energy sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by diversification of the energy mix, expansion of renewable energy, exploration of emerging fields such as nuclear science, and the modernisation of national grid systems. These developments, she said, demand specialised skills beyond traditional competencies.
Since 2019, ZAQA has developed a total of 91 National Occupational Standards across priority sectors, including tourism, manufacturing and construction, energy, agriculture, mining, water and transport. Within the energy sector, six standards have already been developed, covering occupations such as Bio Digester Plant Constructor, Coded Welder, Energy Auditor, LPG Installer, Non-Destructive Testing Technician and Solar PV Installer Operator.
Mrs Ngoma explained that the development of National Occupational Standards is aligned with the priorities of the Eighth National Development Plan and supports Government policy aimed at ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce across all sectors of the economy. She added that the energy sector remains a top priority for sustainable national development.
She further noted that National Occupational Standards are globally used to guide curriculum development, learning programmes, job descriptions and in-house training initiatives.
By aligning training with industry needs, she said, the standards will help ensure that graduates are equipped with practical skills to immediately contribute to the expansion and sustainability of Zambia’s power grid.
