20 Delmas-youth receive mining skills boost through training courses
2022 Phalanndwa Extension ADT Trainees: Jacob Mabena, Samkelisiwe Yaka, Thandeka Zwane, Karabo Retsweletse Namane, Gugulethu Nxumalo, Mxolisi Nkabinde, Tinny Sibanyoni, Stephans Nkosi, Sphelele Siyaya, Samuel Maleka
Twenty community members, living near Phalanndwa Extension, in August 2022, completed articulated dump truck (ADT) and Competent Person-A training courses, which were sponsored by Canyon Coal. The training was aimed at increasing their knowledge, skills and employability within the mining sector.
Canyon Coal Social Licensing Manager Xolile Mankayi explains that the ADT and Competent Person-A training are Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)-accredited programmes and are both sought-after qualifications for those seeking to work in the mining industry.
The ADT training provided trainees with the ability to operate mobile machinery for surface excavation operations, while the Competent Person-A training programme training showed learners how to carry out examinations/inspections of mobile machines, how to make surface operations such as quarries, dumps and stockpiles safe and to be able to declare them safe.
Canyon Coal appointed a skills development company Progressive Training Development and Projects to provide the training for these courses. Assessor Isaac Mmotla explained that after every module the trainees wrote a test to ensure that they understood what they had been taught and once they had successfully completed all modules and their practicals, they received a certificate of completion of the training courses.
Canyon Coal first arranged ADT training at its Khanye Colliery, in Bronkhorstspruit in order to upskill community members with mining skills training. Twenty community members attended a 30-day mobile machinery for surface mining training programme between November and December 2019 at Khanye Colliery. Owing to the success of that programme replicating and expanding upon it by including Competency-A training, which is a key entry-level requirement for those wanting to work in the mining sector.
“The recruitment for these training programmes was done in a fair and transparent manner with adverts for the programmes placed in the local media, the adverts were shared with the local municipality to disseminate among community members and through social media. This is how we made the community aware of this initiative. In terms of the selection process, in line with the company’s women empowerment drive, women were given preference over men. There is a lack of women in technical positions in the mining sector and as a socially conscious entity Canyon Coal is seeking to ensure that gender parity is reached between men and women in this regard,” Xolile explained.
“These training and skills development programmes go beyond our social labour plan (SLP) requirements as Canyon Coal we are dedicated to providing meaningfully to host communities by providing locals with skills that they can use to gain employment in the mining sector,” stated Xolile.
Trainees Take
Competency-A Trainee Fikile Masango from Delmas: “My aim is to one day become a safety representative so I see this training programme as the start of my path to attaining this goal. The Competency-A training has been very beneficial, especially the health and safety regulation components. We learnt about the highwalls, rock fractures, the controls and safety measures we need to adhere to ensure safety regulations are adhered to at all times. This course offers me a variety of options for the future such as becoming a foreman, supervisor and even blaster someday. I will become the first women in my family to venture into the mining sector. I believe that women can succeed in any industry we work in as long as we are given the right opportunities.”
Competency-A Trainee Thulisile Ndhlovu from Delmas: “When I saw the post on Canyon Coal’s social media pages about the Competency-A training I applied as soon as I could, as I have been interested in getting into the mining industry for a long time. The training has been a great journey and I have learned so much. I want to take what I’ve learned and put it into practice. I am currently studying Safety Management and Competency-A will aid me in achieving my goal of becoming a mine safety manager one day. I come from a small farm called Argent in Delmas and as a young person and woman this opportunity means a great deal to me.”
ADT Trainee Mxolisi Nkabinde from Argent Farm in Delmas: “The theory provided us with a great foundation for the practical training. Once we knew how the machine worked, we easily understood how to operate the machine. I want to use the skills and knowledge I have gained to get into the mining sector and I believe this is the first step in a long journey.”
ADT Trainee Tinny Sibanyoni from Delmas: “Initially I was scared when I first got into the ADT because it’s a big machine but the trainer helped guide me on how to operate it correctly. It’s wonderful to see that there are so many other women on this training course as we need more women ADT operators on mines, I appreciate Canyon Coal's efforts to support us local women to gain skills that will increase our employability prospects.”
