INDIGENOUS trainees will commence work at a Western Australian iron ore mine after completing a 10-week pre-employment program.
Twelve trainees will join Rio Tinto’s Mesa J iron ore mine in Pannawonica after completing the Work Start program, which was run in partnership with Rio Tinto, Asburton Aboriginal Corporation and Pilbara TAFE.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Aboriginal employment strategy manager, Camis Smith, says the program was created as a pathway for the long term unemployed to enter the mining workforce.
Participants studied a range of subjects including occupational health and safety, time management, personal finance management, small machinery operation and other workplace skills.
It is hoped the initiative will help to permanently retain Aboriginal employees in mining positions and ensure safety and training standards are of the highest standard.
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