Gold Fields Ghana Celebrates Graduation of 29 Welding Apprentices Amid Transformative Journey

The programme, however, nearly faltered early on due to wavering trainee commitment before intensive counselling and discipline turned the tide.  

From Reluctance to Resilience

Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, recounted the programme’s rocky start during the graduation ceremony. Initially, community interest in welding was low, with many trainees admitting that they had joined merely to “while away time” after completing their basic education. A review 11 months into the training revealed stark truths: some participants lacked passion for the trade, while others felt directionless.“Midway into the journey, some trainees confessed they weren’t attracted to welding. But we refused to give up,” Yakubu explained. The Foundation, alongside its Learning and Development and Community Relations teams, launched counselling sessions to reignite purpose. The result? A dramatic shift in attitudes, with trainees embracing the programme as a life-changing opportunity.  

Discipline, Soft Skills, and Employment Success
The Foundation provided monthly transportation allowances, soft skills training in public speaking, report writing, and time management, and enforced strict discipline, turning away latecomers even if “five minutes late”—to instil professionalism. “Skills can be taught, but attitude is everything,” Yakubu emphasized. The rigour paid off: 24 of the 29 graduates, including 15 women, have already secured jobs with Kansco Engineering, a contractor at Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine. All received certifications from the Minerals Commission and the South African Institute of Welders, with additional advanced welding credentials from Takoradi Technical Institute (TTI).  

Gender Equity and Economic Impact Highlighted
Senior Vice President Elliot Twum hailed the cohort’s 52% female representation as proof of Gold Fields’ commitment to inclusion. “These women are breaking barriers in male-dominated trades,” he said, underscoring the programme’s alignment with industry demands.  

Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Issah Salifu Taylor, praised Gold Fields’ model, urging other mining firms to replicate it. “Unemployed youth are now skilled professionals. This is how we build constituencies,” he said, pledging to advocate for similar schemes at Iduapriem Mine and Ghana Manganese.  

Call for Entrepreneurship and Lifelong Learning
In a speech read on his behalf, Takoradi Technical University Vice Chancellor Rev. Prof. John Eshun applauded the focus on sustainable development. “You’ve been equipped not just to seek jobs, but to create them,” he told graduates, urging continued innovation.  

A Legacy of Community Ambassadors
Yakubu concluded with a charge to graduates: “Be shining examples. Your communities and Gold Fields are counting on you.” As the company eyes expansion of the programme, the 2023 cohort stands as a testament to resilience and a blueprint for transforming apathy into excellence.  

Gold Fields’ Mine Apprenticeship Programme, launched in 2022, is part of its broader social responsibility strategy, which includes support for education, agriculture, and infrastructure in host communities.

Source: Nana Esi Brew Monney

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