By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has spent approximately US$3.6million on community training programmes, aimed at equipping the youth in the company’s host communities with employable skills.
The training programmes include Graduate Training, Host Community Apprenticeship Training, Mine Apprenticeship Training, Heavy-Duty Equipment Programme, and Precision Welding Training Programme.
At the graduation of 33 trainees under the Community Apprenticeship Training Programme (CATP) at Bompieso, in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality in the Western Region, Abdel Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, explained: “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”.
He said CATP was introduced in 2011 and has benefitted 160 community youths, equipping them with skills in dressmaking, auto mechanic, among others. These skills were selected based on the local demand for artisans.
In 2021, he said 48 community youths were enrolled onto the programme. The foundation collaborated with trade masters from the Ghana Association of Garages to provide a 2-year theoretical and practical training for 38 out of the 48 with skills in auto mechanics, auto electricals, car upholstery and welding.
The remaining 10 trainees out of the 48 went into dressmaking at Mark Arthur High Fashion, with nine of them completing the training in October 2023.
“Today, 33 trainees have also completed a two-year programme, graduated and have been certified by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI). They have also received start-up tools to position them to train other community youths. The start-up tools include diagnostic machines, multi metre, toolbox, spanner sets, vice clamps, key sets, welding machine cables, drilling machines, grinding machines, straightening hammer, spraying hose, cutting torches, staple guns and many others”, Mr. Yakubu said.
He encouraged the trainees 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. Membership of the credit union will provide access to small loans at low interest rates for the execution of any contracts that they may receive.
Nana Ama Saarah I, Queen Mother of Wasaa Subri, stressed the critical importance of instilling a positive attitude in trainees and urged them to approach the job market with determination, confidence and a commitment to excellence.
Madam Ivy Yeboah, the Western Regional Coordinator of NVTI, praised the initiative and shared stories of students benefitting from hands-on training.
She highlighted the importance of positivity and inclusivity, encouraging persons with disability to participate in skills such as tailoring, shoemaking and bead-making.
She commended Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for such an initiative and encouraged other organisation to emulate their example.
