A bold skills development initiative by Gold Fields Ghana is transforming the employment landscape for youth in Tarkwa and surrounding communities, with 24 out of 29 recent apprentices securing jobs at Kansco Engineering, a contractor with the Tarkwa Mine.
The Two-Year Apprenticeship Training Programme, launched in 2022 by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, aims to combat youth unemployment by equipping young people with technical and entrepreneurial skills in welding, fabrication, and mining services — trades highly sought after in the extractive and construction sectors.
At a graduation ceremony in Tarkwa, Mr. Elliot Twum, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Gold Fields Ghana, praised the success of the programme, highlighting its strong focus on hands-on training aligned with industry standards. He revealed that over US$4 million has been invested in such capacity-building initiatives, covering more than 400 beneficiaries across various technical training modules.
A notable feature of this year’s cohort is the inclusion of 15 women among the graduates — a development Mr. Twum hailed as proof of Gold Fields’ commitment to gender equity and inclusion. “Empowering women is a central pillar of our approach to sustainable development,” he said.
The training culminated in certifications issued by the Minerals Commission and the South African Institute of Welders, while some participants also voluntarily pursued advanced certification at the Takoradi Technical Institute.
Mr. Twum encouraged other companies to follow Kansco Engineering’s example and recruit from the growing pool of skilled local talent, saying such partnerships were vital for sustainable community development.
Tarkwa Nsuaem MP, Issah Salifu Taylor, commended the programme as a replicable model for skills development across Ghana. “We must create platforms like these so the youth can become self-reliant, even beyond the mining industry,” he noted.
Nana Abena Boaduwaa II, Queen Mother of the Apinto Divisional Council, also lauded the initiative and urged the newly employed graduates to lead by example and pave the way for others.
The Gold Fields apprenticeship programme is increasingly being seen not just as a social intervention, but as a strategic investment in local content and workforce development — one that empowers youth, fosters entrepreneurship, and bolsters Ghana’s industrial capacity.
