Seventy-two youth in apprenticeship have acquired skills and graduated under the sponsorship of Newmont Ahafo Mines, in areas such as welding, metal fabrication, scaffolding and steel bending.
The 72 apprenticeship graduates received three months’ training under Newmont’s ‘Construction Worker Training Programme’ (CWTP) to enhance their capacity to meet national and international standards, with approved certifications to help them access opportunities in the extractive industry and beyond.
This is the first batch of artisan trainees under the CWTP, which is expected to benefit 168 people. The remaining 96 are due to undergo training that includes trades such as carpentry, masonry, heavy-duty equipment operation and crane operation.
The programme was established by Newmont to train local artisans selected from the host communities of the yet to be operational Newmont Ahafo North Project. It forms part of the company’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of its host community members through skill development training, support the local economy and impact the people’s socioeconomic lives.
Addressing a durbar held at Terchire in the Tano North municipality of Ahafo Region for the trainees passing out ceremony, Bono Regional Minister George Boakye called for industrial harmony between mining companies and locals, especially the youth.
He said periodic disturbances emanating from disagreements between host communities and mining companies have a tendency to drive away potential investor, and hence implored the youth and mining firms to adopt amicable means of resolving their differences, if any.
On his part, Newmont Ahafo Mine Senior Manager in charge of Sustainability and External Relations, Joseph Danso, indicated that 159 individuals in Ahafo South have so far benefitted from the CWTP, which was established in 2005 – adding “134 of them are currently employed by Newmont, while 10 are employed by sub-contractors”.
