By Sampson Manu
Obuasi (Ash), Oct. 14, GNA – AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), Obuasi Mine, has held a matriculation ceremony for 100 artisans enrolled into its skills development and certification program.
This was after successfully graduating more than 80 young people who took part in the training programme last year.
The initiative aims to enhance the skills of local artisans and equip them with the necessary certification to improve their employability and professional standing.
The training program focuses on providing practical and relevant skills for the job market.
According to Mr. Daniel Arthur Bentum, the Economic Development Superintendent of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, the skills development and certification programme was designed to equip artisans with critical skills in trade fields like welding and fabrication, plumbing works, auto mechanics, auto electrical and general electrical.
As part of the skills and entrepreneurship commitment under the 10-year Socioeconomic Development plan (SEDP) of AngloGold Ashanti, the skills Development and certification programme(SDCP) had been designed to train and certify artisans in Obuasi to enhance their competitive and contribute to increasing the income levels among the programme.
He said the program was a response to a need analysis conducted among artisans in Obuasi.
It was revealed that most artisans lacked the requisite certification to validate the skills they possessed.
“This situation prevents such individuals from partaking in competitive, formal contracts and improving their livelihoods,” he added.
In addition, Mr. Arthur Bentum stressed that the artisans did not apply effective business management practices, therefore, contributing to low levels in their income and low commercial demand.
The skill Development Programme has been designed to take the beneficiary artisans through a technical skills certification programme and subsequent examination to obtain an NVTI/ Energy commission certificate.
AngloGold Ashanti together with SMET Mining and Engineering Training takes the responsibility for training the artisans.
After the programme the Obuasi mine will enroll participants to write the professional exams to obtain NVTI/ Energy commission certificate, providing an opportunity to enhance livelihood through employment or sustained entrepreneurship contributing positively to the communities in which they operate.
GNA