WA Training Awards 2009 Resource Sector Winners and Finalists
Sep 7, 2009
WA Training Initiative 2009
sponsored by The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia
The winner of this award will receive $8000 cash from The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia and may also be eligible to compete for the Training Initiative Award at the Australian Training Awards.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia is the peak resources sector representative body in Western Australia, championing the Western Australian resources sector and helping the sector achieve its vision to lead the world in sustainable practice through innovation.
The dedication of members to education and training is backed up by the large commitment to the training system and the financial investment made in employees training, more than three times the amount invested on average by all Australian industries
With industry growth and a strong focus on training, there has never been a better time to explore career opportunities and pathways for mining jobs, oil and gas jobs in WA, and other careers in resources.
FINALIST – Advanced Skills Development Initiative: Rio Tinto Iron Ore Group
“Rio Tinto’s Advanced Skills Development Initiative is changing the way the company operates by moving the operating culture from compliance to striving for excellence.”
The initiative is helping Rio Tinto identify and define the specific skills that mining operators need to ensure they can carry out their work safely and efficiently.
Components of the initiative include using video footage to immediately evaluate whether a task is being done correctly; an increased focus on quality outcomes instead of just legislative and company requirements; and highlighting examples of excellence.
As the world’s second largest producer of seaborn iron ore and one of Australia’s biggest and most profitable exporters, Rio Tinto’s training initiative is helping to prepare tomorrow’s workforce today.
FINALIST – Indigenous Mining Skills Program: Macmahon/BHP Billiton Iron Ore
“Macmahon and BHP Billiton Iron Ore have joined forces to provide Indigenous people with meaningful employment opportunities through the unique Indigenous Mining Skills Program.”
The 14 week program addresses some of the issues that prevent successful recruitment into the mining industry such as limited industry knowledge and lack of mining jobs work experience.
Participants receive daily support from a Macmahon or BHP representative to help with any personal or learning issues while off the job components of the program are completed at Pilbara TAFE.
Program subjects are reviewed regularly and are updated in line with the requirements of the mining industry.
This mining careers program allows participants to form links with the mine sites of both companies, giving them good job once they complete the program.
With a raft of positive feedback from participants, stakeholders and the community, the Indigenous Mining Skills Program is seen as a model of excellence in the Pilbara region.
OTHER FINALIST - Aveling Online Training Portal: Aveling
WINNER - Through-care Program: Department of Corrective Services, trading under Auswest Specialist Education and Training Services (ASETS)
WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 2009
WINNER –
Salathiel McKay
Trained at Pilbara TAFE, employed by Woodside Energy Limited
After completing a Certificate III in Electrical Engineering and a Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation, Salathiel McKay has fulfilled his dream of gaining a full-time position at Woodside Energy.
In a testament to his ability, he was awarded Woodside’s Apprentice of the Year High Achiever Award for an unprecedented four consecutive years from 2004 to 2008.
An enthusiastic and passionate member of Woodside’s apprenticeship group, Salathiel was elected by his peers to lead them as the health, safety and environment representative.
Always willing to think outside the square, he developed and organised ‘apprentice away days’ which involved a group of Woodside apprentices volunteering in activities such as school and community clean up days.
Driven by his strong interest in electricity and electro-technology, Salathiel is currently looking at up-skilling opportunities to enhance his career in resources.
FINALIST –Leanne Councillor
Trained at Pilbara TAFE, employed by Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Travelling 60 kilometres a day to work a 12 hour shift in a male dominated workplace while caring for a family of five may seem like too much for the average person.
But for Leanne Councillor these challenges only fuelled the desire to succeed in her chosen mining career as a business administrator for one of Western Australia’s largest mining companies.
After applying for and winning a business administration traineeship through Apprenticeships Australia, Leanne gained certificate II and III qualifications before getting full-time employment as part of Rio Tinto’s project engineering team.
A devoted mother, Leanne not only encourages and promotes training opportunities to her children but also to the wider community when she is organising events and fundraising activities in her local area.
Determined to spread the message about the importance of training to other Indigenous women, Leanne’s never give-up attitude is something to be admired.
FINALIST –Clinton Stack
Trained at Pilbara TAFE and Westrac Institute, employed by Macmahon
A proud Noongar man, Clinton Stack was the first Macmahon Aboriginal trainee to gain an apprenticeship at the Orebody 18 Newman mine site.
Despite living in every Australian state and growing up in the western world, he has remained close to his culture and ancestral heritage.
Having recently completed a Certificate III in Metalliferous Mining, Clinton transferred to a heavy duty mechanic resources career apprenticeship with Macmahon.
A key member of the Macmahon team, Clinton has represented the company at several high profile events including the Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Canberra and the 2008 WA Training Awards.
As the first locally residing Aboriginal apprentice for Macmahon in Newman, Clinton proudly promotes the resources industry and his trade to other Indigenous people.
A best and fairest winner of his Kalgoorlie football team and a member of Newman Youth Services, Clinton’s WA mine job success transcends far beyond the workplace.
WA Trainee of the Year 2009
WINNER - Adam Selby
Trained at Challenger TAFE, employed by Woodside Energy Limited
Although he started his career in resources as an apprentice refrigeration and airconditioning mechanic, it was working in the Middle East and West Africa on offshore oil and gas platforms that fuelled Adam Selby’s desire to change careers.
After a rigorous three month selection and recruitment process, he was awarded a trainee position at the prestigious Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT) at Challenger TAFE where he completed a Certificate II in Process Plant Operations.
Forced to re-adjust his learning approach to fit in with ACEPT’s simulated process plant environment, Adam learnt to plan methodically, thinking out work tasks and complete them safely.
After completing on the job training components at one of Woodside’s offsite process plants, he was offered an oil and gas job as a process plant operator in November 2008.
Dedicated to a lifetime of learning, Adam wants to become an industry leader and is planning to enrol in a Certificate IV in Process Plant Operations to help him progress to a supervisory role.
FINALIST - Glenn White
Trained at Challenger TAFE, employed by Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, host employer Woodside Energy Limited
Having worked as a navy officer, landscaper, stonemason and power station operator, it’s clear that Glenn White enjoys diversity in his life.
Currently in his second year of a process plant operator traineeship at Challenger TAFE’s Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training, he has combined 20 years of work experience to find a career in resources which he describes as one of the most challenging and rewarding.
A confident leader, Glenn has continued to use the strong leadership skills he developed in the navy to help him mentor and encourage other oil and gas jobs trainees completing their process plant operations qualifications.
Training on an offshore oil and gas platform has brought added benefits to Glen’s life, enabling him to combine his two hobbies of aviation and photography.
Aided by regular flights over some of Australia’s most deserted and stunning landscapes enroute to and from work, Glen is one of the top 10 aviation photographers on a photography website.
OTHER FINALIST - Louise Bythway
Trained at West Coast TAFE, employed by Mindarie Keys Early Learning Centre
OTHER FINALIST - Simon Jacques
Trained at Central TAFE, employed by RCR Engineering
WA Apprentice of the Year 2009
WINNER - Blake McCarthy
Trained at Swan TAFE, employed by WA Water Corporation
FINALIST - Craig Woolley
Trained at Challenger TAFE, employed by City of Gosnells
FINALIST - Matthew Bailey
Trained at Oral Health Care Centre, employed by PJ Dental Laboratory
FINALIST - Wade Reynolds
Trained at Industrial Training Institute, employed by Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, host employer Woodside Energy Limited
After graduating from university and travelling the world, Wade Reynolds was at a crossroad.
Unsure which path to take, he decided to build on the skills he gained through university and enrol in an electrical and instrumentation apprenticeship at the age of 27.
Working for a large company has helped Wade develop the specialised skills necessary for working in a team.
Communication, time management and leadership skills have all become critical to his success in the workplace.
With both parents having lengthy careers as school teachers, he understands the value of learning and has continued to up-skill at every opportunity.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge, Wade has also gained formal qualifications to complement his love of music and often spends his ‘down time’ as a DJ at weddings, parties, clubs and pubs.
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