Staff Reporter | March 12, 2025
There was an ongoing story of South Africa's lack of artisans. Some industry may argue that this issue is not a shortage of craftsmen, but that qualified craftsmen cannot find employment.
In an effort to tackle the issue of qualified craftsmen and employment shortages, Anglo American Zimele, in collaboration with the Artisan Training Institute (ATI), recently launched a craftsman skills development program aimed at young people from the host community in the Northern Cape.
The three- to four-year programme begins in November 2024 and will train 75 young people from communities around Kumba Iron Ore Sishen Mine and Colomera Mine.
The program combines institutional and workplace learning on ATI's fully accredited Kimberly campus. There, candidates are trained in nine important transactions, including automobile electricity, heavy machinery mechanisms, and instrumentation.
Alumni success receives a Red Seal Certificate from the internationally recognized Ministry of Higher Education and Training.
All certified engineering transactions meet minimal NQF level 4 status and place them for careers in a variety of industries.
“We believe in the transformational power of partnerships to truly promote meaningful and sustainable change in people's lives,” said Larisha Naidou, head of Anglo-American Zimére.
“What sets this program apart is its comprehensive approach to skill development. Beyond technical training, it offers complete accommodation, meals and transportation support to ensure learners are fully focused on development.”
The program demonstrates Anglo-American's continued commitment to sustainable community development and economic transformation in its operating areas. There, skill development plays a key role in breaking the unemployment cycle and building a sustainable living.
This initiative directly supports the key objectives of South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, particularly the goals of economic change and job creation.
Zimele's youth development approach is work-centric with a focus on 30% training, 40% support, and 30% effectiveness for work in efforts to open routes beyond mining routes.
“Disclaimer – the views and opinions expressed in this article are the views of the author and are not necessarily those of the Bee Room.”
