Zijin Golden Ridge Limited (ZGRL), a mining company in Ghana, has launched a youth skills development initiative in its host communities. The initiative, called Zijin Akyem Rising Initiative (ZARI), aims to equip young people in the Birim North District with technical and workplace skills. The program started with practical welding and fabrication training for 31 young people in partnership with the Akyem Vocational and Technical Institute (AVTI).
The trainees, who constitute the first cohort, had already completed a Welding and Fabrication training programme at AVTI. As part of the package, each participant would receive transportation, lunch throughout the training and a full set of personal protective equipment. The program is designed to create pathways for long-term economic participation and support youth development.
Mr Agyemang Okyere, General Manager of ZGRL, described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to support youth development and build a skilled local workforce. He said the company’s vision is to create opportunities that extend beyond direct employment. Through ZARI, young people will strengthen their technical capabilities, improve workplace readiness, and develop the confidence to pursue careers, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic participation.
Welding and fabrication are the first trade areas under the initiative, while Electrical Installation is expected to form the second cohort. Plumbing, Building Construction and Masonry would be introduced later as AVTI expands its training capacity. The initiative was developed in response to feedback from participants in the company’s annual Zijin Employment Clinic.
ZARI complements the company’s existing youth-focused programmes, including its Apprenticeship Training Programme. Graduates of the apprenticeship scheme receive a Diploma in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, a Certificate of Proficiency in OEM Maintenance Training from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), and a Zijin Certificate of Completion.
Mr Okyere described the company’s Learnership Programme as its “most deliberate investment in the next generation of professionals.” The program provides workplace exposure, mentorship and practical learning opportunities for youth from host communities. Local participation remains a key feature of the company’s workforce strategy, with 597 out of 1,235 employees drawn from host communities, exceeding the 35 per cent target.
The training program is aligned with National Vocational Training Institute Certificate I standards. Participants will be assessed on practical competence, safety awareness and workplace readiness. ZGRL operates the Akyem Gold Mine in Ghana’s Eastern Region and is a subsidiary of Zijin Gold International Company Limited, the overseas gold platform of Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd.
Key points
- Zijin Golden Ridge Limited launches youth skills development initiative in host communities
- The initiative aims to equip young people with technical and workplace skills
- The program complements the company’s existing youth-focused programmes, including its Apprenticeship Training Programme
