Newmont Ghana Gold Limited has introduced the merit-based "Emerging Talents Programme" that places graduates from the nation’s universities in employment right after school.

The ground breaking initiative aims at attracting and developing fresh graduates from Ghana’s universities with 3-4 years undergraduate studies in practical as per Newmont’s business needs.

Speaking to a visiting media team on Thursday, Ms Francisca Atubrah, Talent Management Programmes Officer, noted that the programme was Newmont’s way of addressing key gaps in skills required while addressing age-old debilitating unemployment situations that not only stressed the nation, but made a complete mockery of the education effort.

She explained that, the programme for a two-year period enabled graduates to undertake their one-year National Service, which doubled as the first year of the Emerging Talent Programme, while the second year provided participants the opportunity to undertake a one-year working contract with Newmont.

During the two-year period, candidates set goals, go through a series of mid-year and quarterly reviews with their department managers who evaluate them on their performance.

“Participants of the programme have the opportunity to gain practical experience, develop their career path and develop as individuals through training, rotations across the business and mentoring opportunities with a global multinational,” Ms Atubrah said.

Ms Atubrah indicated that, participants enjoyed a comprehensive Newmont package which came in the form of salary, attractive benefits, learning and development opportunities.

After the two-year programme, departmental managers evaluate participants.

Emerging Talent Programme started in2010 with 20 fresh graduates, constituting 20 per cent of the total National Service intake for the year into Newmont Ghana.

On how the students were selected, Ms Atubrah said that, the Learning and Development Department in association with a Ghanaian-based consultant, annually visited the educational institutions to select top ranking and exceptional students in their fields of study.

“Candidates then go through a rigorous selection procedure including writing aptitude tests, undergoing interviews both off-site and on-site as well as training prior to recruitment,” she noted**