Skorpion Zinc invests in future: Over N$2 million for 2010 bursary scheme
WINNING the war for talent by re-skilling the workforce, sourcing new talent, developing change agents and creating a human capital strategy, is a key focus area for Skorpion Zinc mine, an integrated world-class mining and refinery operation located near the southern town of Rosh Pinah.
Open cast mining and hydrometallurgical techniques are used to mine and refine zinc oxide to produce special high grade zinc. To do this, Skorpion Zinc combines state-of-the-art technologies with the skills of a highly motivated workforce. As part of its development programme, the company has launched key internal and external development programmes preparing individuals at various levels for future technical and leadership positions.
This year, Skorpion Zinc has awarded five new full scholarships for 2010 in the disciplines of geology; mining, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering; metallurgy and mine surveying. It has also bonded three final year students. Since the mine started with its bursary scheme, it has sponsored 23 fulltime Namibian bursary students who took up technical courses at internationally accredited universities, of which five students have now completed their studies.
During 2010 Skorpion Zinc will sponsor 26 students at university at a cost of more than N$2 million for its bursary programme, while more than 13 qualified graduates on trainee programmes have been accommodated in the system. Two of these bursaries are awarded to residents from the Karas region after great attempts to get pupils from the region.
Three of the bursars are from the Khomas region, one from Ohangwena while the other two are from Omusati region. The bursary scheme covers all costs of tuition, accommodation, text books, pocket money, travel allowances, meals, medical aid, study permits and a computer as from second year. This means a total of 26 students will be sponsored in 2010.
The total cost for the bursary programme amounted to N$2 million dollars last year. Of last year’s group, five students were in their final year. Scorpion Zinc provides paid vacation work and covers related transport costs, meals and accommodation during this time which is an estimated N$600 000. Students received challenging projects to complete and present to EXCO (Executive management committee) before returning to South Africa in January 2010.
The Apprenticeship Scheme Skorpion Zinc is proud of being a substantial job creator and employer in Namibia and remains committed to offer career development opportunities and to create an environment conducive to learning and the achievement of a higher quality of life. As part of its commitment to uplift the people of Namibia, Skorpion Zinc also started the apprentice programme in 2008 when it employed 9 apprentices and went on to employ another 8 apprentices last year.
These apprentices were chosen after going through a process of short listing candidates according to initial application and CV’s; undergoing an interview with a panel of people from across the company; completing practical tests to determine hand and tools skills and psychometric tests. They will be sponsored to attend the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology to become qualified artisans.
The 17 apprentices are studying in the disciplines of fitting & turning (5); electricians (3); diesel mechanics (3); riggers (2); instrumentation mechanicals (2); boilermaker (1) and millwright (1). Skorpion will spend about N$15 000 per month per apprentice to cover training and accommodation costs at the various training centers in Namibia, South Africa and Rosh Pinah over a period of 3 to 4 years. This amounts to roughly N$630 000 per apprentice over the entire training period.
Employee development Skorpion Zinc supports and encourages employees to develop rewarding careers through personal development. Each plan is mutually agreed upon by an employee with the immediate supervisor, and it forms part of the basis for all the training initiatives supported by the company.
As part of its in house training policy, Skorpion Zinc exposes its employees to leadership programmes such as management development and senior management development programmes as well as various technical assistance programmes. Skorpion’s most valuable asset is its people. All employees at Skorpion Zinc are provided with career development opportunities.
The career development of employees falling in the bargaining unit is clearly outlined in the category level system, and for the non-bargaining employees their individual development plan is part of their performance contract.
Women in Mining Skorpion Zinc is committed to attracting more women into the mining industry at all levels. The immediate aim is to increase the number of women employed to 20% by the end of 2010. Career options for women in mining are a strong feature of Skorpion’s marketing in schools and at career fairs.
An initiative is under way to look at the obstacles in attracting and retaining women: the remoteness of the site; lack of childcare provision; and the impact of the continuous shift operations on pregnancy and early motherhood. Aside from its commitment to its employees, Skorpion Zinc continues to contribute greatly to education in the Karas region with financial support to the Hoeksteen primary school, a government school and Stepping Stones pre-primary in Rosh Pinah and various smaller schools in the vast region.
Open cast mining and hydrometallurgical techniques are used to mine and refine zinc oxide to produce special high grade zinc. To do this, Skorpion Zinc combines state-of-the-art technologies with the skills of a highly motivated workforce. As part of its development programme, the company has launched key internal and external development programmes preparing individuals at various levels for future technical and leadership positions.
This year, Skorpion Zinc has awarded five new full scholarships for 2010 in the disciplines of geology; mining, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering; metallurgy and mine surveying. It has also bonded three final year students. Since the mine started with its bursary scheme, it has sponsored 23 fulltime Namibian bursary students who took up technical courses at internationally accredited universities, of which five students have now completed their studies.
During 2010 Skorpion Zinc will sponsor 26 students at university at a cost of more than N$2 million for its bursary programme, while more than 13 qualified graduates on trainee programmes have been accommodated in the system. Two of these bursaries are awarded to residents from the Karas region after great attempts to get pupils from the region.
Three of the bursars are from the Khomas region, one from Ohangwena while the other two are from Omusati region. The bursary scheme covers all costs of tuition, accommodation, text books, pocket money, travel allowances, meals, medical aid, study permits and a computer as from second year. This means a total of 26 students will be sponsored in 2010.
The total cost for the bursary programme amounted to N$2 million dollars last year. Of last year’s group, five students were in their final year. Scorpion Zinc provides paid vacation work and covers related transport costs, meals and accommodation during this time which is an estimated N$600 000. Students received challenging projects to complete and present to EXCO (Executive management committee) before returning to South Africa in January 2010.
The Apprenticeship Scheme Skorpion Zinc is proud of being a substantial job creator and employer in Namibia and remains committed to offer career development opportunities and to create an environment conducive to learning and the achievement of a higher quality of life. As part of its commitment to uplift the people of Namibia, Skorpion Zinc also started the apprentice programme in 2008 when it employed 9 apprentices and went on to employ another 8 apprentices last year.
These apprentices were chosen after going through a process of short listing candidates according to initial application and CV’s; undergoing an interview with a panel of people from across the company; completing practical tests to determine hand and tools skills and psychometric tests. They will be sponsored to attend the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology to become qualified artisans.
The 17 apprentices are studying in the disciplines of fitting & turning (5); electricians (3); diesel mechanics (3); riggers (2); instrumentation mechanicals (2); boilermaker (1) and millwright (1). Skorpion will spend about N$15 000 per month per apprentice to cover training and accommodation costs at the various training centers in Namibia, South Africa and Rosh Pinah over a period of 3 to 4 years. This amounts to roughly N$630 000 per apprentice over the entire training period.
Employee development Skorpion Zinc supports and encourages employees to develop rewarding careers through personal development. Each plan is mutually agreed upon by an employee with the immediate supervisor, and it forms part of the basis for all the training initiatives supported by the company.
As part of its in house training policy, Skorpion Zinc exposes its employees to leadership programmes such as management development and senior management development programmes as well as various technical assistance programmes. Skorpion’s most valuable asset is its people. All employees at Skorpion Zinc are provided with career development opportunities.
The career development of employees falling in the bargaining unit is clearly outlined in the category level system, and for the non-bargaining employees their individual development plan is part of their performance contract.
Women in Mining Skorpion Zinc is committed to attracting more women into the mining industry at all levels. The immediate aim is to increase the number of women employed to 20% by the end of 2010. Career options for women in mining are a strong feature of Skorpion’s marketing in schools and at career fairs.
An initiative is under way to look at the obstacles in attracting and retaining women: the remoteness of the site; lack of childcare provision; and the impact of the continuous shift operations on pregnancy and early motherhood. Aside from its commitment to its employees, Skorpion Zinc continues to contribute greatly to education in the Karas region with financial support to the Hoeksteen primary school, a government school and Stepping Stones pre-primary in Rosh Pinah and various smaller schools in the vast region.
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