Mineral processing solutions provider Multotec celebrated the successful completion of its 12-month learnership programme in June, underscoring the company’s commitment to skills development, continuous growth and job creation.

Nurturing a skilled and adaptable workforce through targeted programmes, such as production technology and polymer compound manufacturing, contributes directly to the enhancement of mineral processing practices, says Multotec.

A cohort of 46 learners, including nine females, graduated from the company’s comprehensive learnership programme.

With a focus on its employees and previously unemployed individuals, the programme contributes to the enhancement of not only the company’s workforce but also the broader upliftment of skills in South Africa, says Multotec organisational development and learning manager Janine James.

It also bolsters the company’s in-house capabilities and aligns closely with the skills requirements essential for effective mineral processing operations.

The programme’s graduates, equipped with industry-relevant qualifications, add fresh perspectives and updated skills sets to the sector, fostering innovation and improving overall efficiency.

In this way, Multotec’s commitment to skills development contributes to company growth and plays a significant role in advancing skills and knowledge in the minerals processing field, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that drives progress on multiple fronts.

Integrated Industry Qualifications

Although not centered exclusively on mineral processing, every qualification of the programme shares essential components. For instance, production technology covers aspects such as production logistics, first line maintenance, quality assurance, safety procedures and the operation of production equipment.

Similarly, the polymer qualification involves tasks such as configuring rubber machinery and engaging in industrial rubber processing, as well as upholding safety, health, environment and quality standards.

In the realm of management, skills pertaining to planning, organisation, leadership and control are crucial. Planning, in turn, encompasses facets such as master scheduling, planning and scheduling, as well as sales and operational planning, says James.

She adds that learners are required to complete formative and summative assessments, which occasionally involve presentations. The format and requirements of these assessments are determined by the specific qualification in question.

Since the programme’s inception in 2016, Multotec has enrolled 474 learners and apprentices in various programmes, including generic management, stores and warehousing, business administration, production technology, end-user computing, plastic manufacturing, operations planning and scheduling.

These programmes’ courses, mostly at National Qualifications Framework Level 4, cover a wide range of skills critical for various industries.

The programmes’ core objective is to provide learners with qualifications that align with their respective fields of expertise and to foster their continual growth and development.

Parallel to the learnership, the company also offers apprenticeships, ranging from welding and fitting to boilermaking and millwrights, besides others, she tells Mining Weekly.

The learnership programme can also equip existing Multotec staff with applicable skills that can be directly implemented in their roles, ultimately resulting in improved job performance and opportunities for career progression.

To bridge the gap between education and employment, Multotec’s learnership programme strives to place previously unemployed learners within its operations, with 11 out of the 46 learners who successfully completed the yearly programme in 2023 being integrated into the workforce.

Their positions correspond to distinct areas within the company such as planning, rubber, plastics, production and inventory management.

The 11 individuals currently employed comprise four machine operators, one assembler, one administrator, one marketing clerk, two packers, one inventory clerk, and one maintenance assistant, says Multotec skills development officer Thembisile Mvemve.

Multotec has provided employment for 80 previously unemployed learners since the start of the programme, including apprentices and individuals with disabilities, contributing to increased inclusivity in the workforce.

“Multotec’s dedication to its learners is reinforced by its strategic use of available resources. By capitalising on learnership tax incentives, ETI [employment tax incentives] and discretionary grants from relevant sector education and training authorities, Multotec ensures a substantial return on its investment in skills development,” James continues.

Meanwhile, the learnership programme’s structure reflects a balanced blend of theoretical and practical learning – about 70% of the programme is focused on practical, hands-on experience, while the remaining 30% is dedicated to theoretical classroom instruction.

Every learner is assigned a mentor to guide them throughout the programme, including to help with overcoming challenges.