A leading steel import and manufacturing company in Tema, B5 Plus Limited is offering aspiring professionals the real world experience they need to get the edge in the job market.

The steel company has so far invested over GH₵75,000 since the initiative commenced to train several students from some technical and tertiary institutions to get on the job experience in order to convince their employers that they can hit the ground running.

Over 50 students from the Polytechnic, Secondary/Technical institutions and University had the opportunity to go through this year’s apprenticeship with a stipend for a period of not more than two years and an option of permanent employment at the factory.

B5 Plus Limited is also offering scholarships to some brilliant but needy students of Kpone and its environs to enable them further their education.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the B5 Plus Ltd, Mr. Mukesh V. Thakwani, pointed out that the training programme forms part of his company’s corporate social responsibility to help several Ghanaians gain experience for excellent production to encourage consumers to buy made in Ghana goods.

According to him, the decision to take such a bold step of investing such huge capital in training unknown persons stemmed from the fact that some graduates are not well equipped for today’s world; something he realised after going through the curriculum vitae (CVs) of some applicants who applied for jobs in his company and were interviewed.

“Everyone deserves bright prospects. And we mean everyone. Whatever your age or background, whether you’re taking your first steps into work, finishing school, returning to work or looking for a new career direction, there’s an apprenticeship here for you. Whichever one you join, you can expect to gain valuable skills, recognised qualifications, a permanent job, great training and, above all, our full and heartfelt support,” he emphasised.

He mentioned that what the modules apprentice will study will provide them with the essential knowledge needed for their future career, adding that an apprentice will have the same opportunities as employees, earning wage and working alongside experienced staff.

According to the CEO, those who embark on an apprenticeship won’t be weighed down by tuition fees or debt by the time they graduate saying that “in fact, your employer will be paying you to gain a qualification instead.”

The boss of B5 Plus posited that for Ghana to develop, very skilled people are needed because the gap between the skilled and unskilled is very vast “hence our decisions to help the society in our small way.”

A beneficiary of the apprenticeship programme, Raymond Mensah, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Tema Technical Institute was optimistic that the training is a pre-employment programme designed to help everyone to get ready for the working world no matter the background.

“It starts with essentials like English and Maths skills, how to make a good impression, and how to shine in an interview. The second step is work experience, where you’ll put your new skills into practice in the workplace,” he outlined.

He was thankful to management and staff of B5 Plus for the kind opportunity given them to gain on the job experience for their future career.

Ms. Georgette Boakye Enninful, a graduate from the Kumasi Polytechnic with an HND in Computer Science appreciated the enabling environment given to her to get on the job training at the company which will equip her for the future.

She was of the view that although qualifications can open doors, B5 Plus helps to take on a fulfilling role, earn a salary, gain experience and training, and get really qualified.