Goldfields trains 31 in mining-related skills
A Total of 31 young people in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, including two females, have successfully undergone apprenticeship training in mining-related skills initiated by Gold Fields Ghana (GFG), operators of the Tarkwa Mine in the Western Region, at a cost of GH¢368,038.64.
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The group, which constituted the first batch to undertake the programme, started in 2016 by the Training and Development Centre (TDC) of the GFG for mining and gas industry, was trained in mining equipment operations, general mining safety and equipment, including mining equipment operating safety.
The programme was ostensibly designed to equip the youth with employable skills.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at Tarkwa at the weekend, Mr Robert Siaw, the Sustainable Development Manager, GFG, Tarkwa Mine, indicated that 30 people were going to be trained in the skill of operating two machines this year.
He disclosed that engagements had already started in the communities and applications were opened to interested young men and women to apply.
"I would want to encourage more women to take advantage of this training to enable them to become employable and enhance their economic empowerment. We know that women, who operate heavy machines are most likely to be more careful and diligent," Mr Siaw said.
Sequel to employment
The manager, however, cautioned that the training was not a sequel to employment in GFG, Tarkwa Mine, but to provide them with an opportunity to be eligible for employment whenever there were opportunities for such skill-set anywhere in GFG and other parts of the world.
"The tendency for people who are provided with such assistance by GFG, government or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to sit back and await another assistance to develop themselves or be provided with employment is the bane of our personal, community and country's development," Mr Siaw noted.
He, therefore, declared, "I’m expecting that some of you, if not all, will consider this training as a stepping stone to improve yourself and aspire for jobs higher than you are dreaming of now. I can only wish you well and pray that the good Lord will grant you his mercy and strength."
Scholarship/apprenticeship programme
The Sustainable Development Manager announced that the company is still operating its scholarship scheme to support brilliant needy children in its host communities to pursue secondary and tertiary education.
Already, he indicated, his outfit had a four-year apprenticeship programme for the youth to acquire skills in welding and fabrication, dressmaking, auto electrical and hairdressing.
Sadly, he said, many of those young men and women who enrolled for that programme fell off along the way, citing, for instance, that this year, only seven out of the 15 apprentices who enrolled would be graduating.
Motorbikes
At the same ceremony, the company presented four Yamaha motorbikes, two each, to the municipal directorate of education, Tarkwa, and the district directorate of education, Bogoso, in the Prestea/Huni-Valley District, at a cost of GH¢36, 694.27 to assist them to enhance supervision of teaching and learning in the host communities.
That was part of the company's commitment to help improve access and quality of education in those areas, according to Mr Siaw, who made the presentation.
The education authorities expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the management of GFG for their continued support towards quality teaching and learning in the area.
