Zijin Golden Ridge Limited (ZGRL) says its apprenticeship programme is transforming the lives of young people from its host communities by equipping them with employable technical skills and preparing them for the job market.
The three-year Zijin Apprenticeship Programme is designed to train community youth in mechanical and electrical engineering, with a focus on strong work ethics, safety and hands-on experience. Two beneficiaries, Olivia Danquah from Akyem Afosu and Emmanuel Akwa from Adausena, say the initiative has given them confidence and practical skills to pursue professional careers.
Olivia, who joined the programme after completing Senior High School, is training as a process maintainer in a field traditionally dominated by men. She said the programme has broadened her opportunities and encouraged her to pursue engineering with confidence.
“I graduated with an SHS certificate, but now I boldly stand ready for the job market,” she said, encouraging other young women in the communities to take advantage of the opportunity.
She noted that adapting to the technical and safety demands of mining was initially challenging, but mentorship and hands-on supervision helped her develop the required skills.
Emmanuel Akwa, who joined the programme in 2023, specialises in fixed plant electricals. He said he entered the apprenticeship with limited technical knowledge but has since gained confidence through a combination of classroom instruction and fieldwork.
According to a facilitator at ZGRL, Sam Kojo Adjei Frimpong, the apprenticeship programme forms part of the company’s social responsibility to its host communities. He explained that the initiative is structured to gradually build participants into job-ready professionals.
He said the first year focuses on an Introductory Skills Programme, with emphasis on foundational engineering knowledge. In the second year, trainees are grouped into fixed plant or automobile streams, specialising in mechanical or electrical disciplines, while the third year places them in Original Equipment Manufacturer environments for intensive field-based training.
ZGRL also collaborates with the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT), Tarkwa, to strengthen professional training. During a recent visit, the Head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UMAT, Professor Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi, commended the programme, describing it as relevant and impactful.
He said the initiative helps bridge the gap between academia and industry and equips trainees with practical skills aligned with Ghana’s development needs.
ZGRL says the apprenticeship programme reflects its commitment to developing local talent and ensuring that youth from host communities play active roles in Ghana’s mining and industrial sector.
