MechChem Africa September-October 2025

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Sandvik celebrates milestone in community upliftment

them for real-world employability across the mining, construction and engineering sectors.” Participants were selected based on clear inclusion criteria: residence in one of the five targeted communities, unemployment status, low formal education levels (below NQF Level 2) and a demonstrated interest in personal development. De Witt says that Sandvik collaborated closely with community leaders and local NGOs to ensure diverse and inclusive representation. “The programme’s impact has been far-reaching. On an individual level, learners report improved confidence, communication abilities and numeracy skills, all of which are critical assets in any work en vironment,” he shares. “At a community level, the initiative is helping to foster a culture of aspiration, learning and self-empowerment.” With success firmly established, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is now exploring the expansion of the FLC initiative, both by scaling participant numbers and integrating it more deeply into the company’s broader learnership and enterprise development programmes. “This is not just about education. It is about creating pathways to independence, dignity and sustained opportunity,” de Witt concludes. https://www.rocktechnology.sandvik.com

workplace readiness and further education. “Our support for the FLC programme is grounded in our belief that education is the foundation of empowerment,” says Zandre de Witt, CSI Chairman at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “Foundational literacy and numeracy remain critical barriers to entry into formal training and employment. This programme is helping to dismantle those barriers, giving individuals the confidence and competence to pursue greater opportunities.” Implemented through an accredited train ing provider, the FLC forms part of Sandvik’s broader Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy, which prioritises education, skills development and inclusive economic partici pation. In line with this, successful FLC gradu ates have been further supported through portable skills training, including hand tools, safety, plumbing, bricklaying and welding, offered in partnership with AIH. “We view the FLC not as the end, but the beginning of a journey,” says De Witt. “Graduates are already progressing to portable skills certification and, ultimately, licences such as Code 8 and 10 driving permits and operator licences. This helps position

In a powerful demonstration of its commit ment to sustainable community development, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions recently celebrated the achievement of 39 commu nity members who successfully completed its Foundational Learning Competence (FLC) programme, an essential stepping stone to skills training, employment and economic inclusion. The milestone event, which brought to gether learners from five local communities, marks the culmination of months of learn ing focused on English communication and mathematical literacy: two key pillars for Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions celebrates the FLC certificate handover with proud graduates and team members.

40 ¦ MechChem Africa • September-October 2025