By Erica Apeatua Addo
Bompieso (W/R), Nov. 25, GNA – Thirty-three apprentices selected from the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Damang Mine, have graduated after undergoing a two-year community apprenticeship training programme funded by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF).
They were trained in welding, auto-electricals, spraying and as auto-mechanics.
Each of the beneficiaries received start-up kits and a certificate.
The aim of the programme was to equip the beneficiaries with skills and business management knowledge, so they could established their own business in their respective communities and ensure they operated it well.
At the graduation ceremony organised in Bompieso, Mr. Abel-Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of the GFGF recalled that two years ago, 48 people were sent to various trade masters at Bogoso Junction, in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality for training, but only 33-three were able to graduate.
He said aside the technical skills the beneficiaries received, the GFGF collaborated with the Business Advisory Unit of the Municipal Assembly to train them on entrepreneurship, how to start their own business, operating a business, book-keeping and assessing loans.
Mr. Yakubu encouraged all the beneficiaries not to keep the working tools in their rooms, but they should set up their own small businesses to enable them generate income for themselves and families.
The Executive secretary stressed that “we have recorded situations in the past where people pick these tools and they just go and keep them in their rooms.”
“Last year, we seized two sewing and knitting machines from people we trained and equipped to open their own business because eight months after giving out the start-up kits, they did not use it and could not justify why the tools were lying idle. We have a plan to give it to those who are willing to use them” Mr. Yakubu mentioned.
The Executive Secretary thanked Madam Ivy Yeboah, former Western Regional National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Co-ordinator and Mr. Abu, Head of Garages and Trade Masters for partnering the GFGF to make the programme impactful.
Madam Ivy Yeboah, the Head of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Tarkwa thanked the GFGF for creating more opportunities to help the government address the unemployment challenge in the country.
She challenged the beneficiaries to set up viable businesses that would contribute to the local economy and entreated tertiary students to learn a trade after school to enable them to earn additional income in any profession they find themselves.
Nana Adwoa Korantiwaa II, Queen mother of Bompieso, advised the beneficiaries to practice what they have learned and impact the skills and knowledge they have gained to others in their various communities.
GNA