124 people have graduated from the graduate trainee program of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation. This is made up of 88 males and 36 females who were enrolled in 2021 being the second cohort of the programme.
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested US$2.3M in the Graduate Trainee programme which started in 2018 programme.
The programme has been instrumental in providing structured on-the-job training (to provide work experience and skills) for 171 graduates, so far, from the host communities of the Tarkwa and Damang mines.
At a graduation ceremony at the ABA Club House, the Executive Vice President and Head of Gold Fields West Africa, Joshua Motorti said the initiative is aimed at equipping trainees with employable skills and work experience, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
He noted that the training programme is structured in a way for trainees to gain a holistic view and understanding of the extractive industry, through a departmental rotation system.
“An integral part of the programme is the Value-Add Project, a solutions-based initiative, where 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 operation”, he added.
The Gyasehene of Apinto, Nana Dr Adarkwa Bediako on behalf of chiefs of host communities expressed his appreciation to Gold Fields for the massive growth of the Graduate Trainees from 30 for the first batch to 124 trainees.
He urged the trainees to cherish the opportunity given to them by the company and make good use of the skills learned from the company.
The Vice Chancellor of UMaT Prof Richard Kwasi Amankwaa who chaired the programme commended the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for the continuous support of their host communities and other institutions like UMaT.
He threw an invitation to all the trainees to the University’s Career and Innovation fair, to come and share their experience with the final-year students.
