FORGING A NEW WORKFORCE: WOMEN LEADING AFRICA’S INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION

As Africa enters a new era of industrial expansion, a critical challenge has emerged: bridging the gap between growing operational demands and the availability of skilled, compliant, and deployable talent. This challenge is particularly evident in heavy industries such as mining, energy, and infrastructure, where performance, safety, and precision are non-negotiable. Yet, amid this industrial evolution, a powerful opportunity is unfolding: the rise of women as key drivers of Africa’s workforce transformation.

DGC TalentWorks, a subsidiary of the Dickinson Group of Companies, offers integrated workforce development and outsourcing solutions designed to meet the rigorous demands of these sectors. Operating across Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe, DGC TalentWorks delivers tailored, performance-driven services that solve the continent’s industrial workforce challenges and promote inclusive growth.

THE OPPORTUNITY: UNLOCKING WOMEN’S POTENTIAL IN INDUSTRY

Historically, women have been significantly underrepresented in industrial roles, particularly within mining and extractives. Barriers such as limited access to technical education, safety concerns, and entrenched gender biases have long restricted female participation. However, as industries seek to future-proof operations and align with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, inclusive workforce development is no longer optional; it is essential.

DGC TalentWorks directly addresses this challenge by embedding gender-inclusive strategies across its training, recruitment, and deployment pipelines. Through DGC AFRICA Skills, the organisation equips women with internationally aligned technical certifications in welding, mechanical maintenance, rigging, electrical installation, and more. These programmes combine theoretical knowledge, hands-on application, and robust safety instruction, creating a pool of capable, certified women ready to contribute on-site.

INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS FOR A DYNAMIC WORKFORCE

DGC TalentWorks' strength lies in its end-to-end service portfolio, combining workforce outsourcing through DGC Workforce Solutions with accredited training via DGC AFRICA Skills. This integration ensures a steady supply of highly skilled talent while aligning workforce deployment with each client’s strategic goals.

For mining clients, where margins are tight and downtime costly, DGC's outcome-based service model is particularly valuable. Workforce performance is continuously monitored using real-time dashboards, and on-site supervision is provided at no additional cost for major engagements. KPIs, tailored to client priorities, link compensation to measurable outputs such as safety compliance, production targets, and quality standards.

DGC helps clients de-risk operations, reduce administrative overhead, and improve productivity by shifting from transactional staffing to strategic workforce partnerships. These benefits are amplified by a focus on local content development, which enhances license-to-operate and strengthens ESG compliance.

TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN INCLUSION AND OPERATIONAL PRECISION

To further enhance accessibility, DGC TalentWorks leverages mobile-first technologies to support candidate engagement, onboarding, and compliance. This particularly impacts underserved communities where women often face mobility and connectivity barriers. A web-based application link, accessible via mobile phones, computers, or similar devices, along with AI-powered matching algorithms and cloud-based documentation systems, simplifies the hiring process while ensuring transparency and compliance.

At the project level, mobile dashboards provide immediate visibility into workforce performance, attendance, and skill deployment, enabling site managers to make informed decisions and reallocate resources with agility. Predictive analytics support long-term planning by identifying emerging skill gaps and workforce trends.

BUILDING A FUTURE-READY TALENT PIPELINE

Beyond immediate deployment, DGC TalentWorks strongly emphasises professional development and leadership readiness. Psychometric evaluations are integrated into the recruitment and development process, assessing cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and leadership potential. These insights inform succession planning and help identify high-potential female employees.

Leadership development programmes, tailored for technical roles, equip women with supervisory, project management, and decision-making skills, creating pathways from artisan to industrial leader. This structured growth strategy supports both workforce stability and long-term client outcomes.

A STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR INCLUSIVE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

For decision-makers in the mining industry, partnering with DGC TalentWorks offers a clear competitive advantage: a scalable, compliant, and performance-driven workforce solution that delivers immediate results while supporting long-term sustainability. The added benefit? Access to a growing pool of skilled women who bring fresh perspectives, enhance team dynamics, and help align operations with international ESG standards.

As industries expand and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, the need for inclusive, reliable workforce models will only grow. DGC TalentWorks stands ready to meet that need, transforming workforce management into a strategic lever for industrial growth.

DISCOVER HOW DGC TALENTWORKS IS HELPING TO BUILD AFRICA’S FUTURE WORKFORCE.

Whether navigating workforce challenges or seeking to elevate your ESG impact, DGC TalentWorks provides the strategic expertise and integrated solutions to help you lead Africa’s industrial transformation. Let’s build the workforce of tomorrow, together.

Visit www.talentworks.dgc-africa.com or contact contactus@dgc-africa.com to start a conversation with our team.