With women often not being exposed to knowledge regarding practical, technical and mechanical skills, training provider MetSkill sensitises its learners to the challenges faced by women working in the mining industry.

While the company’s skills development courses are not gender specific, it encourages collaboration between men and women to combine the strengths that both groups provide.

“Many of our learners are women. By using our combined experience as women in mining, we show our learners how to use their unique skills in a traditionally male-dominated environment. We promote gender inclusion, which is the foundation of the modern workforce,” says MetSkill MD Rebecca Sands.

She explains that MetSkill supports the initiatives of Women in Mining South Africa and has a long-term relationship with the organisation International Women in Resources Mentoring Programme (IWRMP).

IWRMP, in collaboration with psychology services provider Metisphere, is a cross-company initiative that actively empowers women in the mining sector worldwide by providing mentees with opportunities to accelerate their professional growth.

Sands first joined the initiative in 2018 as a mentor, and MetSkill’s current COO Masego Modise was a mentee of the initiative in 2020.

“[Modise] started as a student with us and has worked her way up in this challenging industry. “As we develop in the industry, we share our journeys with our female learners, helping them forge their way in their careers,” enthuses Sands.

MetSkill has also partnered with life-coaching company Bertina Symonds to provide support and growth for its in-house female team.

Sands adds that, since its inception in 2004, there has been an increase in female participants in MetSkill courses.

“This is exciting and encouraging. Many of our Community Learners – a programme where our clients select students from the local communities for learnerships in mineral processing – are women.”

As one of the first female plant operators in South Africa, Sands says MetSkill aims to lead by example, as she understands the challenges women face when deciding on a career in mining.

She cites a statement by Minerals Council South Africa president Nolitha Fakude at the International Day of Women in Mining 2022, during which Fakude expressed the council’s hopes of achieving 50% female representation within the next decade.

In line with Fakude’s statement, MetSkill aims to encourage more women to embark on a career in mining, with the company aiming to showcase the careers available for women at national roadshows and career days.

“The mining industry is an excellent environment for people of all genders to forge solid and successful careers. MetSkill is extremely honoured to be in the position to encourage and nurture professionals who choose occupations in this space. During women’s month, we salute all the female learners who we have had the privilege to train – may your journeys take you to the top of your profession,” concludes Sands.