Johannesburg-headquartered diversified resources investment company Menar’s subsidiaries are prioritising youth empowerment through providing skills training, learnerships, internships and bursaries aimed at communities located close to its various operations.

“Education’s unmistakable power is showcased when real lives are transformed, leaving a long-lasting impact for host communities,” Menar says.

In line with its current social and labour plan (SLP), the Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC), in KwaZulu-Natal, has committed to providing 35 internships and 15 learnerships at an estimated cost of over R6-million.

To date, 17 interns have successfully completed their internships and a further 14 people have finished their learnerships through the ZAC’s SLP.

In addition, ZAC recently welcomed 11 new interns in various fields, including geology, information technology and safety.

In previous years, the mine also employed candidates who performed exceptionally well in the SLP training programme.

“From the previous SLP, out of 42 learners, we ended up permanently employing 29,” explains ZAC training coordinator Stephen Masankane.

He notes that in addition to career prospects and workplace experience, the ZAC’s SLP programme offers financial independence through the stipends provided to candidates.

Further, Menar coal subsidiary Canyon Coal’s Gugulethu Colliery, in Mpumalanga, opened its doors to 41 previously-unemployed youths from host communities who were trained at the mine and employed as drivers of articulated dump trucks, and operators of excavators and dozers.

Canyon Coal COO Jarmi Steyn points out that a total of 128 candidates submitted their applications after the apprenticeship was advertised.

The programme was developed to accommodate unemployed youth, including those with no previous exposure to mining.

“When we started with the recruitment process, we realised there was a shortage of skills in the area and [we came] up with an initiative that will benefit local youth,” she explains.

Kangra Coal, through its operations in Mpumalanga, provided cadet opportunities to 100 youths from surrounding areas between 2021 and 2022 as part of its skills development programme. These cadets were trained in roof bolting, underground machinery operation and electrical work, among other skills.

Going forward, Kangra Coal intends to train a further 20 youths this year.

Moreover, Canyon Coal’s Khanye Colliery is also in the process of admitting more than 40 trainees, as part of an initiative to upskill youth from surrounding communities. These candidates will receive training to operate surface mining machines at the mine and will be awarded with educational institution Mining Qualifications Authority-accredited certification upon completion of their training.

The programme will benefit individuals from Khanye’s surrounding communities in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng.

The mine also offers bursaries for studies in electrical, mechanical, civil and mining engineering, as well as environmental science and safety management.

“The bursaries aim to support the education and development of individuals interested in pursuing careers in these fields, contributing to the growth of skilled professionals,” says Khanye mine manager Dawid Venter.

The programmes contribute to nurturing talent and enhancing skills availability in communities, he concludes.