Building Local Talent: The Newmont apprenticeship journey that transformed Bernice Asare’s future

When Bernice Sarfo Kantaka from Adrobaa, one of Newmont’s host communities in Ahafo, completed her National Service in 2021, she worried about what would come next. After graduating with a Chemistry degree from KNUST, she completed her National Service with Newmont’s Land Access team at the Ahafo North Mine, but like many young graduates, she still faced uncertainty.

“I was anxious about being jobless after national service,” she recalls. “Most of my mates who completed university with me still don’t have jobs.”

As the eldest of five children, the pressure to secure a stable future was even greater.

That future began to change when she heard about Newmont’s Scalable Apprenticeship Programme. Encouraged by her community, she applied and successfully completed the competitive selection process.

Although unsure whether she could excel without an engineering background, her confidence grew once training began.

“The training started from the basics,” she said. “They took us through everything step by step.”

Over the next three years, Bernice and her cohort received intensive technical and practical instruction in Fixed Plant Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation, and Mobile Maintenance. The programme also helped her grow personally.

“Newmont has helped me to be more confident and speak up,” she said. “It’s an inclusive environment that gives everyone the opportunity to grow.”

Before completing the programme, Bernice received an offer to join Newmont Ahafo South mine’s Non Processing Infrastructure (NPI) team and now works as a Treatment Plant Operator.

“I was very excited when I received the offer letter,” she said. “It means I can take care of myself and support my family.”

She and her fellow apprentices will be earning Diplomas from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), strengthening their qualifications. On Tuesday, 24 February 2026, Bernice was among 10 apprentices who graduated from the programme, all 10 secured employment with Newmont