Forty eight youth selected from the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL), a mining company, have completed a two-year Community Apprenticeship Training Programme (CATP) sponsored by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF).
The Foundation, in collaboration with Trade Masters from the Ghana Association of Garages, provided a 2-year theoretical and practical training for 38 out of the 48, with skills in auto mechanic, auto electrical, car upholstery and welding.
The remaining 10 trainees, however, went into dressmaking at Mark Arthur High Fashion, with 9 of them completing the training programme in October 2023.
Currently, 33 trainees have also completed the programme and have graduated, receiving start-up tools that would position them to train other community youth.
The tools include; diagnostic machines, multi meter, toolbox, spanner sets, vice clamps, key sets, welding machine cables, drilling machines, grinding machines, straightening hammer, spraying hose, cutting torches and staple guns among many others.
The trainees were certified by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and the certification is an attestation to their competence and authorises them to operate.
The trainees also undertook workshops and seminars with the intent to equip them with entrepreneurial skills.
They were encouraged to register as members of the Promprom Credit Union, established by the Foundation for small business holders and farmers in the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana.
The CATP is part of Gold Fields’ broader commitment to community development and corporate social responsibility.
It aims to improve the livelihoods of host communities and foster a positive relationship between the company and the communities in which it operates. Abdel-Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, encouraged students to approach their career paths with seriousness and make the most of opportunities at their disposal.
In his address, he stressed on the value of acquiring practical skills and that the training they had gained could play a role in fostering long-term career development.
Kofi, a past beneficiary of the CATP and now a proud employee at Engineers and Planners, shared his inspiring success story.
He spoke about how his life was transformed through hands-on skills training, which equipped him with the practical expertise needed to build a successful career.
He highlighted how the programme empowered him to not only secure meaningful employment, but also pursue personal and professional growth, illustrating the life-changing impact of such training opportunities.
The chairperson, Nana Ama Sarquah I, Queen mother of Wasaa Subri stressed on the importance of instilling a positive attitude in trainees, urging them to approach the job market with determination, confidence and a commitment to excellence.
Madam Ivy Yeboah, the Western Regional NVTI Coordinator praised the initiative and shared stories of students benefiting from hands-on training.
She highlighted the importance of positivity and inclusivity, encouraging disabled individuals to participate in skills like tailoring, shoemaking, and bead-making.
The Foundation’s training programmes is aimed at improving the skill levels of the youth in its host communities. Approximately US$3.6 million has been spent on training programmes, such as the Graduate Training Programme, Host Community Apprenticeship Training Programme, Mine Apprenticeship Training, Heavy-Duty Equipment Programme, and Precision Welding Training Programme.
The Community Apprenticeship Training Programme (CATP) is a community-oriented initiative designed to provide skills training and employment opportunities to basic school leavers who are unable to pursue secondary education in the areas where Gold Fields operates.
The CATP, introduced in 2011, has benefited 160 community youth equipping them with skills in dressmaking, auto mechanic, auto electrical, car upholstery and welding.
These skills were selected based on the local demand for artisans.
