Mining Weekly reports that diversified miner Exxaro Resources sponsored 411 engineering learners, 33 miner learners, 90 operator learners and 19 business administration learners in 2020 as part of its formal engineering and mining learnership programme.

"As the future leaders and changemakers of Africa, empowering and developing the youth is vital to reducing the country’s unemployment crisis by bridging the skills gap; hence, the significant investments in youth development through skills programmes, learnerships and internships," the company stated. The learnerships take place at the Grovos Training Centre, in Lephalale, Limpopo, and the Colliery Training College (CTC), in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, and include formal theoretical and practical training in core skills, such as plant and mobile equipment operation. The learners receive a monthly allowance while in training. To acquire practical experience in the industry, Exxaro also provides internships for recent graduates. In 2020, it equipped 110 interns with impactful workplace exposure and hands-on training. Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo said the company would continue to nurture and develop young people, “empowering them with the skills and training they need to thrive as the workforce of tomorrow and drive South Africa forward.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly

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