As part of the Tripartite Agreement between Rio Tinto SimFer, the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training (METFP) and Trust Africa, the Beyla Vocational Training Centre (CFP) hosted a two day Job Dating event designed to create a direct link between young graduates and companies operating in the region.
An Event Dedicated to Young Talent
Over the course of these two days, 86 candidates took part in interviews with companies, prepared in advance during dedicated sessions. Due to the high turnout, the programme was extended to a second day to ensure that all candidates could be received.
Students welcomed the opportunity to meet recruiters face-to-face and gain a clearer understanding of labor market expectations.
Mr. Moricandian Nestor Kamano, Head of the Engineering, Pedagogy and Training Unit at the Regional Inspectorate of Technical Education and Vocational Training within the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training (METFP) says that: “Seeing so many motivated and well-prepared young people is truly encouraging. Giving them direct access to employers is essential to opening real professional opportunities.”
A Collective Effort to Boost Local Employability
The event brought together representatives from the CFP, the Beyla Mayor’s Office, Trust Africa, partner organisations and several companies including Rio Tinto SimFer, BIA, GPC, GST, Lense Corps and Whely CIS.
Local authorities reiterated the importance of vocational training for economic development and the need for stronger participation from companies operating around the Simandou project.
Ousmane Bérété, Local Recruitment Specialist at Rio Tinto SimFer, noted: “Job Dating is a practical tool to connect local talent with the industry’s needs. It is a structuring initiative that helps us support the growth of the Simandou project while relying on the skills available within the region.”
Interviews, Exchanges and Networking
The approach was based on:
- Short, structured one on one interviews, giving each candidate the opportunity to present their profile.
- Networking sessions, enabling direct engagement between employers and job seekers.
Participating companies highlighted the quality of the candidates and the importance of such initiatives to prepare the local workforce for opportunities linked to the Simandou project.
Aissatou Bah, Talent Acquisition Analyst at Rio Tinto SimFer, added: “Many candidates demonstrated strong potential. Our role is to guide them, inform them and help connect them to opportunities that match their skills.”
Key Learnings and Areas for Improvement
The 2026 Job Dating initiative helped to:
- Strengthen employment prospects for young people in Beyla;
- Improve alignment between vocational training and industry needs;
- Identify areas for improvement, particularly the need to broaden company participation and anticipate logistical aspects more effectively.
During this first edition, the Mayor of Beyla emphasised the importance of consistent participation from major companies operating in the region, in line with their commitments to the community.
Hawa Bah, HR/Communications Assistant at Trust Africa, highlighted: “This new edition clearly shows the strong demand. With more companies involved, we will be able to offer even greater opportunities to young people in the region.”
An Initiative Set to Expand
Based on the outcomes and positive feedback, stakeholders recommended extending the event by two additional days and encouraging all Simandou project subcontractors to take part in future editions.
This approach is fully aligned with Rio Tinto SimFer’s commitment to supporting training, employability and the development of local skills.