21/12/2024
Sheku Kamara: A Sierra Leonean’s Journey to Driving a Train Through LRMG’s Skills Training Program
Sheku Kamara, a Sierra Leonean who once dreamed of driving a train, has achieved his goal through The Innovative Skills Training and Mentorship Initiative of Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG). This initiative is designed to promote sustainable development, cultivate talent among local employees, and foster collaboration between Chinese and Sierra Leonean staff.
LRMG’s dual-talent training program adopts a mentoring and apprentice model, prioritizing the development of national staff over outsourcing expertise. This approach not only equips Sierra Leoneans with career-advancing skills but also strengthens local employment opportunities.
Kamara’s journey began with intensive training, including a four-phase program comprising theoretical lessons, practical exercises, and safety drills. Sitting nervously in the driver’s seat of the Chinese-made DF8BJ009 diesel locomotive during his final exam, Kamara embodied the aspirations of countless Sierra Leoneans.
Driving a modern locomotive across his homeland, a respected profession globally, was Kamara’s lifelong dream. His mentor, Zhang Fan, shared his dedication to teaching with a simple yet profound philosophy: “Back home, my mentor taught me this way, and now I teach my local colleagues the same way. For Chinese people, there’s no difference in skin color. We are brothers. Let’s work hard together and do a good job.”
Through this mentorship, Kamara and his peers not only learned the technical skills to operate advanced locomotives but also developed heightened safety awareness and emergency response capabilities. Overcoming language barriers and cultural differences, Chinese mentors worked hand-in-hand with Sierra Leonean apprentices to ensure their success.
Following rigorous assessments, Kamara and other trainees are now qualified to independently operate locomotives across Sierra Leone. This achievement
