Empowering the next generation of leaders and professionals in Zambia through mining

Mining investment can create value well beyond an operation itself. In Zambia’s North-Western Province, investment in technical training is helping young people gain practical experience and access new career opportunities, while building skills that can support the country’s mining, engineering and manufacturing sectors.

One example is the Kwambula Training Centre (KTC) in Solwezi. Established in 2012 through a partnership between Kansanshi Mining PLC, Zambia’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) and the Government of Zambia, KTC has become one of the country’s leading vocational training institutions.

First Quantum invests more than US$1.5 million in its learnership program each year, which since opening has provided fully funded training for 760 young people. Of those, 512 have graduated and another 248 are currently enrolled. Around 65% are recruited from North-Western Province, particularly host communities, helping ensure local people are among the first to benefit from opportunities created by mining.

The program is also creating routes into technical careers for more women. To date, 145 women have graduated from KTC, representing around 28% of all graduates.

The quality of the training was on display recently at the inaugural Kwambula National Skills Competition in Solwezi, which brought together 11 technical and vocational training institutions from across Zambia. Trainees competed across seven disciplines, with KTC students taking the top spot in each.

Joyce Kamboyi won power electrical with a score of 98%, Pascalina Kasumpa led instrumentation with 95%, and Precious Mwila Nsama won metal fabrication with 93%. Kelvin Lwando took the heavy equipment repair title with 86%, while McMillan Chapesha won mechanical fitting and machining with 90%. Ediness Nankamba scooped the top spot in auto-electrical with 77% while Kamiza Jack, Manfwela Grian and Chifita Leonard jointly won rigging, each scoring 92%.

For KTC Lead Webby Makoloni, the aim goes beyond technical proficiency. The name Kwambula, meaning “igniting hope” in Kaonde, speaks to an ambition to create opportunities for young people that can also benefit their families and communities.

The skills taught at KTC are key to realizing that ambition. Electrical work, instrumentation, metal fabrication and mechanical fitting are not tied to a single mine or employer. They can travel with people throughout their careers and meet needs across mining, engineering and manufacturing.

It’s why skills development is one of the key ways mining investment can create lasting value: helping people in host communities access opportunities today, while building technical capability that can support Zambia’s wider economy over time.

More than a decade after Kwambula opened, First Quantum’s investment has helped equip hundreds of young people with practical, industry-ready skills and create more opportunities for women to pursue technical careers. The investment starts with mining, but the skills – and the opportunities they create – can reach much further.