One hundred and twenty-four youth have graduated in the second batch of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) Graduate Training programme.
The 124 youth, made up of 88 males and 36 females, were emplaced at the various departments of Gold Fields in 2021. The beneficiaries are from the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana (Tarkwa Mine) and Abosso Goldfields Limited (Damang Mine).
The training programme was structured in a way for the trainees to gain a 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, wherein the trainees identify a challenge or potential challenge in mine operations and proffer solutions.
This 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, during the graduation ceremony at Tarkwa in the Western Region explained that: “Since the programme started in 2018, the Foundation has invested US$2.3million”.
According to him, the programme has been instrumental in providing experience and skills on-the-job training for 171 graduates so far.
“There were 47 graduate trainees in the first batch for the programme, and 31 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 completing their programme, seven have been employed at the mine and with other business partners on-site. Another five took opportunities to further their studies abroad, after receiving scholarships while still under training at Gold Fields.
Mr. Mortoti said the Foundation is confident about the trainees’ competence and readiness to transition into the wider professional world of work. Their achievements will be a testament to the programme’s success.
He announced that the Foundation plans to increase the percentage of female representation for the programme during its next intake. “This is our commitment to creating enduring value beyond mining.”
Abdel-Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary-Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, 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 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 to 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 the development of host communities,” he added.
Vice Chancellor-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 number of non-employed graduates we have in the country,” he said.
