ZAQA drives energy sector expansion through new occupational standards
“These standards serve as a blueprint for curriculum development and job descriptions, ensuring that graduates from training institutions possess the exact skills required by the current labor market,” Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) Director General Mrs. Mercy Ngoma
ZAQA Director General Mrs. Mercy Ngoma
By Hellen Bwalya
The Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) has launched the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the energy sector to bolster the Government’s ambitious goal of adding over 2,600 megawatts to the national grid by the end of 2026.
Speaking at a workshop in Lusaka, ZAQA Director General Mrs. Mercy Ngoma emphasized that a competent and industry-responsive workforce is essential to achieving these energy targets. The initiative, mandated under the ZAQA Act No. 8 of 2024, aims to ensure that Zambian qualifications remain high-quality, relevant, and internationally comparable as the nation’s energy landscape undergoes rapid transformation.
The workshop brought together experts from the Ministry of Energy, academia, and private industry to define competencies for six critical occupations: Renewable Energy Engineer, Energy Policy Analyst, Nuclear Scientist, Smart Grid Technician, Energy Efficiency Specialist, and Power Systems Engineer.
These new standards are designed to move beyond traditional competencies to address emerging fields like nuclear science and grid modernization. Mrs. Ngoma noted that these standards serve as a blueprint for curriculum development and job descriptions, ensuring that graduates from training institutions possess the exact skills required by the current labor market.
This move aligns with the 8th National Development Plan, which prioritizes the energy sector as a pillar for sustainable national growth. Since 2019, ZAQA has developed 91 National Occupational Standards across various sectors, including six existing energy standards such as Solar PV Installer and Bio Digester Plant Constructor.
By expanding this list, ZAQA intends to bridge the skills gap, allowing the Zambian workforce to immediately support the diversification of the energy mix and the long-term sustainability of the national power grid. – Rainbow 🌈 Newspaper Zambia Limited (RNZL).
