Trainees’ skills fly high

The improvement in academic capabilities and attitude to work experience amongst the
20 participants in the 2009 Telfer-based Indigenous training course has been of an exceptionally high standard, according to Course Coordinator Bruce Keane.

The current students, from Parnngurr and Jigalong, fly-in to Telfer on a two-week-on, two-week-off basis, over a period of six months.
The course is focussed on providing the students with the academic information required to prepare them for work in a mining environment, together with guidance in life skills, practical and varied work experience, and a range of activities to enhance their personal
fitness.

This is the second year Telfer has hosted Indigenous trainees. Last year’s inaugural intake was for students from Punmu and Warralong.
“The feedback from supervisors of this year’s group of students has been most positive,”
Bruce said.

“The students started work experience over three days each week in gardening, maintenance, catering and cleaning, and then, having completed the academic component of the course, moved into full-time work experience in more mining-related activities such as ore sampling and working in the mill and open pit.

“In addition, the support we have received from Robin Boddington of Jigalong Community Inc and John Reudavey, the Parnngurr Community Coordinator, has been invaluable,” Bruce said.