Graduate unemployment in Ghana is a major crisis, with nearly 60% of the over 300,000 people who graduate from tertiary institutions each year failing to secure stable employment. Research from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) indicates that only 10 percent of graduates find a job within their first year.
It is in a bid to ameliorate the graduate unemployment crisis that the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development with the rollout of its 2026/2028 Graduate Training Programme, aimed at equipping young graduates from its host communities with practical skills and industry experience. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the demands of the job market through practical work experience. It offers structured, direct training across key operational areas in mining and mining support services.
The Tarkwa Mine of Gold Fields has welcomed 105 graduates into its Graduate Training Programme, which is designed to build technical and professional skills and provide relevant work experience to enhance employability. Over the next 24 months, trainees will undergo comprehensive training led by experienced professionals, with a strong focus on technical competence, safety and professional growth. The programme also integrates career development initiatives and supports trainees to obtain the Minerals Commission’s competency certification and the Lean Six Sigma White Belt qualification.
In addition, trainees will undertake projects to identify and implement improvements within operations, fostering innovation and problem-solving skills while contributing to operational efficiency.
This is the fourth cohort to enrol in the programme, which is tailored specifically for graduates from the host communities of the mining company. The initiative forms part of the company’s strategy to nurture talent and help build a future-ready workforce for the mining industry.
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested approximately US$3.1 million in the Graduate Trainee Programme for both Tarkwa and Damang since 2018, demonstrating its long-term commitment to developing young Ghanaian professionals and building local capacity for the mining industry and related sectors. The investment has supported trainee recruitment, professional development, mentorship, training, allowances and deployment opportunities across various departments. The Graduate Trainee Programme, funded by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, has since its launch trained 261 graduates, with 66% currently employed and 11% pursuing further studies. Graduates have received training in various departments including Mining, Engineering, Metallurgy, Safety, Finance, Human Resources and Community Affairs. Many are now working with reputable organisations across the mining, energy and service sectors such as Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, Asanko Gold Mine, Newmont Corporation and Desicon Engineering Limited, while others are pursuing further studies within and outside the country.
For the 2026 financial year, the Foundation has allocated a budget of US$774,242.86 towards the implementation of the Graduate Trainee Programme for the Tarkwa Mine. In addition, a forecast amount of US$786,000.00 has been projected for 2027 to support the continued training, professional development, mentorship, allowances and deployment of trainees prior to graduation, further reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing skilled graduates.
Veronica Fynn, a past graduate trainee who was in the Metallurgy Department and is currently working at Newmont Ghana as a metallurgist, revealed to Starr FM Online how the training enhanced her employability.
“The training threw more light on my personal career growth and industrial readiness, which prepared me ahead of my colleagues who had other opportunities. Women were empowered and included in every single activity that goes on in the processing plant, and that helped me gain more knowledge and develop my technical and analytical skills. The graduate training programme taught me to understand theoretical aspects through practical experiences in metallurgical processes and plant optimisation. Being on shift rotation as a shift metallurgist, I gained hands-on exposure to process plant operations, a better understanding of the process flow chart and plant optimisation, as well as teamwork and good interpersonal communication skills. This training has contributed greatly to my current role as a metallurgist with the operations team at Newmont. Safety, on the other hand, was the number one priority and non-negotiable at Gold Fields. It helped me end every shift safe and sound without any harm,” she revealed.
Doreena Donkor, who is with the Foundation Department, said she is looking forward to contributing innovative ideas that support continuous improvement and long-term success.
“Being part of the Foundation Department gives me the opportunity to build a strong base in learning and combine my background in Statistics with real workplace application. I am eager to gain strong insight into how a large organisation operates. I am also committed to growing professionally, having a stronger sense of accountability and making a meaningful impact.”
Linda Ayisi Barnes, who is with the Mining Department, said she is excited to be part of the graduate trainee programme.
“I expect to learn from experienced professionals, contribute meaningfully to projects and grow both personally and professionally,” she stated.
Source: Kwame Malcolm/Empire FM/Takoradi
