A total of one hundred and twenty-four youth have graduated at the second batch of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) Graduate Training programme at Tarkwa.
The 124 youth, made up of 88 males and 36 females were enrolled in 2021 at the various departments of the mining giants. The beneficiaries are from the host communities (Tarkwa and Abosso).
The training programme was structured in a way for the trainees to gain holistic view and understanding of the extractive industry, through a departmental rotation system.
Also, an integral part of the programme was the Value-Add Project, a solutions-based initiative, where the trainees identified a challenge or potential challenge in mine operations and proffer solutions.
The project challenged them to also identify opportunities and propose innovative ideas to enhance business operations.
Joshua Mortoti, Executive Vice President and Head of Gold Fields, West Africa, at the graduation ceremony at Tarkwa in the Western Region indicated that since the programme started in 2018, the Foundation has invested US$2.3M into it.
According to him, the programme has been instrumental in providing on-the-job training for 171 graduates so far.
“There were 47 graduate trainees in the first batch for the programme. Thirty one of them have secured employment in the mining and construction industries across Ghana. Five others are furthering their education in the United States and Europe,” he said.
On the current batch of 124, he said even before the completion of their programme, seven have been employed at the mines and with other business partners on site.
Another five took up opportunities to further their studies abroad after receiving scholarships, whilst still under training at Gold Fields.
Mr. Mortoti said the Foundation is confident about the competence and readiness of the trainees to transition into the wider professional world of work.
Their achievements, he indicated, would be a testament to the success of the programme. He announced that, the Foundation plans to increase the percentage of female representation for the programme during the next intake.
“This is our commitment to creating enduring value beyond mining”, he said.
The Executive Secretary also explained that the graduate trainee programme was designed to build a talent pipeline for Gold Fields and the mining industry in Ghana.
He said graduates from the various tertiary institutions in the company’s operational area, who have completed their national service, are enrolled on this programme for two years to acquire the right skills and competencies and make them employable in their chosen professions.
He testified that the programme has brought relief to most of the beneficiaries in terms of employment opportunities and being self-employed.
Mawuli Ababio, a Trustee of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation said “the development of human capital is an agenda we are pushing forward through the foundation, especially on women.
Take advantage of what you have studied and excel out there. We will continue to support development of host communities”, he said.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Prof. Richard Amankwah encouraged the graduates to become game changers in their communities.
“Be aggressive in looking for the kind of work you would like to do; create jobs for yourselves and do not limit yourself in anything,” he advised.
Dr. Nana Adarkwah Bediako III, Gyaasehene of Apinto Divisional Council, applauded Gold Fields for their continued support in the catchment area.
“This will go a long way to reduce un-employed graduates we have in the country,” he said.
Another badge of Heavy Duty Equipment Trainees also joined the graduates to graduate at the same programme. The Heavy Duty Equipment Training Programme was also introduced in 2021 and is aimed at equipping selected community youths with the expertise to operate heavy-duty machinery.
After six months of rigorous training and practical application, the trainees are certified by the Minerals Commission with Operators Certificate of Competency.
This certification is a testament to their competence and authorises them to operate heavy duty machinery in any company.
