By Daniel Bampoe
In the mining communities of Akyem Afosu and Adausena, two young Ghanaians are charting new paths to professional success through the Zijin Golden Ridge Limited (ZGRL) Apprenticeship Programme — a three-year initiative aimed at equipping host community youth with practical skills, discipline, and employability in the mining sector.
For Danquah Olivia, a native of Akyem Afosu, the programme has been transformative. After completing Senior High School, Olivia wanted more than to wait passively for opportunities in her community.
Today, she trains as a process maintainer, stepping confidently into a field traditionally dominated by men.
“I graduated with an SHS certificate, but now I boldly stand ready for the job market,” Olivia said. “I encourage all females in our communities to enrol whenever there is an advert. Being a woman in engineering builds you and gives you respect.”
Her first weeks on the job were demanding. The technical operations, strict safety procedures, and fast-paced environment of mining were unfamiliar. Mentorship, however, became her anchor.
“Our mentors really helped us. They taught us every detail we needed to know,” she explained. “Our supervisors, managers, and trainers all contributed to building us. Being on the field was my best part of the programme.”
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Akwa from Adausena is following a parallel journey in a different technical domain. Joining the programme in 2023 with an interest in technology but minimal exposure to mining or electrical engineering, Emmanuel initially faced a steep learning curve.
“The most difficult part for me was that I didn’t have prior technical knowledge about mining or electricals,” Emmanuel said. “Adapting was challenging at first, but the programme helped me maximise my confidence. Now my colleagues and I are ready for the job market.”
Specializing in fixed plant electricals, Emmanuel has gained hands-on experience in power, instrumentation, and control systems critical to large-scale mineral processing.
The programme’s combination of classroom instruction and fieldwork has reshaped his understanding of engineering in practice.
“Now when I go on the field, I understand what I am doing and why I am doing it,” he said.
ZGRL’s apprenticeship programme is designed with both community development and industry needs in mind.
Sam Kojo Adjei Frimpong, a programme facilitator, explained that the initiative provides structured training in mechanical and electrical engineering, covering both fixed plant and mobile equipment.
“Zijin has a social responsibility to its host communities. We enrol youth and give them employable skills over three years, building them from the basics into confident, job-ready professionals,” he said.
The training is carefully staged. The first year, called the Introductory Skills Programme (ISP), provides foundational engineering knowledge, particularly for participants with no prior technical experience.
The second year introduces apprentices to specialized streams — fixed plant or automobile — and deeper mechanical and electrical skills. Year three focuses on field-based training within Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) environments.
“The first year is 70 percent classroom and 30 percent on-the-job. In the second year, it is balanced 50/50, and in year three, training is 70 percent field-based. This ensures they graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience,” Sam Frimpong said.
To enhance professional recognition, ZGRL partners with the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT), Tarkwa. Professor Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi, Head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UMAT, recently praised the programme for bridging the gap between academia and industry.
“The level of training these students receive is top notch. It puts them at par with the best engineers you can find anywhere,” he said. “With collaborations like this, we develop programmes that solve real operational problems. The innovation your trainees demonstrate is homegrown and relevant to Ghana’s development.”
For Olivia and Emmanuel, the apprenticeship is more than vocational training; it is a doorway into professional identity and long-term opportunity. From the process plant to fixed plant electricals, their experiences reflect how ZGRL’s community investments are transforming young Ghanaians into active contributors to the mining and industrial sectors.
“This programme builds you for life,” Olivia said, summing up what years of training, mentorship, and hands-on experience have accomplished.
Through programmes like these, Ghanaian youth are no longer passive observers of industrial growth — they are emerging as skilled professionals, ready to drive the country’s economic and technological development.
