The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has created partnership with First Quantum Minerals LTD., to promote skills development on the Labour Market.
During a courtesy visit paid to Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba (MP), by the mine’s Government relations specialist Mwiza Malila and Winnie Kakunta, Government relations superintendent, FQM dedicated itself to help Government identify skill gaps within the community, create training programs and assist in funding skills development.
Ms. Malila said industry-led apprenticeship, among other skills development partnerships, will be promoted by the company, as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Honourable Tambatamba commended FQM for its demand-driven skills development initiative, as it will equip community members in its vicinity and beyond, with skills that are relevant to the market especially in mining to see to it that Government meets its target of three million tons of copper production per year.
Ms. Tambatamba said sensitization on career development is a positive step, however companies should look beyond it, for skillfulness.
“This is the space we are looking at, especially that this government, in particular the President has declared that skills are available even when somebody has not been to school,” she said.
The minister said Government has demonstrated that the skills bursary under the Constituency Development Fund(CDF) is equipping people with relevant skills needed on the labour market and contributes towards economic growth.
“We would like to see many players come to the table on this one, to help us to buy the best(skills) that can also inform policy direction and legislation. We are in the process of amending the apprenticeship Act to work-based learning. Get someone who has a skill and train them,” said Honorable Tambatamba.
“We look forward to engaging with you on that aspect (skills development initiative). Anything that has to do with workers and employers is our business. Anything that has to do with productivity is our business. Let workers understand work, let people define what work is. We need the whole nation to rally behind work as a development agenda.”
29th January, 2025.
