The DTC Botswana Diamond Academy started operation in February 2006. The purpose of the Academy is primarily to raise the level of diamond expertise needed to meet global requirements, while igniting the passion that is the diamond business.
Principally, the Diamond Academy is a technical training establishment, but it also provides a holistic knowledge of the diamond industry.
The Academy’s vision is to be recognised as one of the leading diamond academies in the De Beers Group. Some of the Academy’s values include among others, being passion ate about diamonds; customer focused; and continuous improvement; as well as creating an empowered workforce.
The DTCB Academy is accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) and plays a critical role in capacity building in areas of diamond valuation, developing technical sorting skills, enhancing production capabilities as well as assisting in quality assurance. The Diamond Academy is also ISO 9001: 2008, accredited by the Botswana Bureau of Standards.
The academy provides an extensive range of training courses and presentations. These can be tailored to meet employees and external customers’ needs on all aspects of rough and polished diamonds. This includes sorting and valuing, rough to polished yields, diamond manufacturing and polished sorting.
The training format for the Academy is divided into four modules
- New entrants
- Two year technical program (First six months in the Academy)
- General diamond industry knowledge
- Foundation diamond course
- Secondary / Targeted programs
- Identified development needs
- Enhanced diamond industry knowledge
- Intermediate diamond manufacturing
- Secondment / Exchange programs
- Guidance on format of programs
- Liaison with host
- Confirmation of program
- Visitors / Clients
- Guidance on format of programs
- Liaison with host
- Confirmation of program
- Sharing knowledge of the industry
- Give tour of building
- Layouts
The Academy also offers bespoke, individual courses according to the needs of the staff member, as well as programs for external stakeholders, such as Sightholders and guests.
