Kamoa Copper has recently launched engineering training courses at the Kamoa Centre of Excellence (KCE), with the first intake of 87 electricians already enrolled. The initiative aims to strengthen local skills and build a qualified workforce in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The launch also marked the signing of a partnership agreement with the CMA & BTP Association to develop a national training and certification framework for the mining industry.

A delegation led by Senator Jean Bamanisa and Hervé Kisula, President of the BTP & CMA Club, joined representatives from the Federation of Enterprises of the Congo (FEC) and the Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP) for the inauguration. Guests toured the new electrical workshop and observed demonstrations of the artisanal training programme.

According to Kamoa Copper, the initiative aims to align local skills with global industry requirements through a national training and certification framework. Managing Director Annebel Oosthuizen said the new courses will give local workers access to practical skills that meet international standards.

ALSO READ:
Wia’s Kokoseb gold project shows positive results  

“The launch of our engineering training centre, starting with the electrical workshop, gives local talent the opportunity to strengthen their abilities and improve the status of vocational and artisanal work,” Oosthuizen said. “We want to ensure quality and also prepare our workforce for opportunities beyond our borders. We’re proud to be the first mining company to work with BTP & CMA to offer training that is both nationally and internationally accredited.”

Under the partnership, annual and triennial audits will be conducted to maintain standards. Kamoa Copper will act as the pilot company in the broader roll-out of these standards across the mining industry. The company also stated that this is not just a partnership, but it is a framework for the future of work in the DRC.

The first intake of 87 electricians has already begun. Their skills are being evaluated through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, with individual training programmes to follow. The entire project is governed by a quality framework that aligns with ISO 9001:2015—marking a first for artisanal training in the country.

The event brought together public and private sector leaders, highlighting a shared commitment to strengthening skills and creating new opportunities for Congolese workers in a changing global economy.