Ekurhuleni Jewellery Beneficiation Project is a Best-Practiced-Project that hosts:  

• A Training institution teaching industry based skills programmes
• Manufacturing facility producing quality jewellery for Jewellery Manufacturers and Retailers at competitive prices to ensure EJP’s future sustainability
• Business Development Incubator for 12 emerging jewellers, providing them with access to machinery, technical support and business skills. 

The project is in the Gold Zone area at Rand Refineries Limited, the largest refinery in SA and is based on Vukani-Ubuntu’s “Integrated Development Model” that combines expertise from various industry & development partners to create a sustainable project.

The partners to the EJP are the Jewellery Council of SA (training oversight), Alan Mair Manufacturing Jewellers (mentorship & expertise), Vukani-Ubuntu (Project setup & Training), Harmony Jewellery School and Mintek (Development Partners).

Services provided by EJP:

A) Skills Programme:
Learners will be equipped with theoretical background, to which the project will add the practical skills needed, as well as provide them with a nationally-recognised qualification. After the training period, they will have been up-skilled in relevant industry skills.   

The first intake of 12 learners, recruited from communities within Ekurhuleni started their training in May 2009.  

B) SMME Development: 6 Incubators
These standalone mini workshops - can accommodate 12 qualified emerging jewellers (SMME’s) and provide access to fully equipped workshops, production services and technical support to allow these entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop their own business in a secure and enabling environment sponsored by the Ekurhuleni Municipality.

C) Industry 
Staff development and training has become an integral part of the jewellery industry’s new Diamond & Precious Metals Regulations. EJP will provide support to the industry by providing accredited short courses, skills programmes & Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system in its “Training for the Trade” programmes. This will provide the current jewellers with the needed support to adhere to the training requirements of the Jeweller’s permit applications.   

As part of the training program EJP will be able to produce quality jewellery for Jewellery Manufacturers and Retailers at competitive prices to ensure EJP’s future sustainability.

This ground breaking Project brings huge benefits to the jewellery industry by providing an enabling environment for under developed communities and ensuring beneficiation of raw material.