11 May 2023

The first batch of Stargems trainees have completed their diamond manufacturing course and are ready to enter the industry.

Stargems training centre is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme to empower communities ever since investing in the country’s diamond industry.

Mr Sandeep Kolambekar, Stargems global head of manufacturing, said they believed that their business could only thrive when their communities were also progressing and benefiting.

He said they contributed 10 per cent of their revenue during COVID-19 to facilitate education, donate to hospitals and to support non-governmental organisations helping women and children living with HIV.

He stated that their objective was to reduce youth unemployment, adding that with the collaboration of other stakeholders and relevant authorities they hoped to make a difference.

Stargems training centre provides trainees with knowledge and skills on various areas of diamond manufacturing, including sorting, grading and polishing.

Mr Kolambekar said they had all the necessary equipment at the centre and personnel to train locals on all the downstream and upstream sectors of the diamond industry as well as its complexities, trends and opportunities.

One of the trainees, Ms Keorapetse Legajang said the training changed her life and made her industry ready.

Ms Gorata Molatlhegi also said the centre has provided her with new opportunities to explore different career paths in the diamond industry.

The training centre provides young people with the opportunity to gain valuable skills related to the diamond industry at no cost to them. The second batch of 72 trainees are also set to graduate soon. ENDS