Newmont Trains 16 Inhabitants

The trainees with officials from Newmont Gold Ghana

As part of the corporate social responsibility of Newmont Gold Ghana Limited, 15 men and lady have been inducted into the 2011 mine apprenticeship programme.

Speaking at the induction ceremony held at Ntotroso, the Brong Ahafo Regional Manager, Learning and Development Department at Newmont, stated that Newmont Ghana recognizes that adequate employment will continue to be a problem until a pipeline that can supply the necessary skills to effectively contribute to their work force and other areas of local economy is created.

According to him, this has led to the development of the apprenticeship programme.

The External Relations Manager for Newmont, Kojo Bedu-Addo, noted that the apprenticeship programme was introduced to ensure access to skilled and trained mechanical and electrical specialists to augment the company’s operational requirements as well as provide skills in areas that are important to society at large.

He mentioned that Newmont believes in the creation of sustainable value for local communities, and this is what drives them to share the benefits in the area of knowledge and skills with partners in their host communities.

In all 69 trainees would embark on the apprenticeship programme and the company is spending approximately $25,000.00 on each person throughout the four-year programme.

“Let this be a gentle but firm reminder to our new apprentices that we will not hesitate to terminate their contract if they fail to heed the terms of the contracts and do not follow the rules and regulations of the company,” he added.

Mr. Bedu-Addo disclosed that from the beginning of this training year the Ahafo Mine will host the young apprentices from Akyem.

The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Eric Opoku, in a speech read on his behalf, stated that the apprenticeship programme is one that touches the heart of government because it serves a dual purpose in terms of human resource development and creation of employment in the area.

He used the occasion to thank Newmont Gold Ghana Limited for carrying out their corporate social responsibility.

He expressed the hope that the working relationship between the company, government and the chiefs and people of Ahafo will deepen.

Some of the trainees, who have excelled in their various training, were awarded with prizes ranging from television sets, DVD players, fridges and many more which were sponsored by some of the companies working with Newmont.

From Vivianna Mensah, Ntotroso