The awards are one of the most comprehensive recognition programs for training and skilling for the Australian resources sector. They acknowledge the leading work being undertaken by companies, trainers, trainees and apprentices, according to Kinetic.

BMA has simplified staff training significantly and built its training and development capability over the past 18 months. It has invested in initiatives to support the growth of staff development programs and provide customisable training programs across its various sites, Kinetic group chief executive Derek Hunter said.

He commended BMA’s continuous improvements, and the balance between corporate and site ownership, as key to their win.

“What really struck us was how the workers on BMA sites viewed improvements in the training processes and practices as beneficial, and not as dreaded changes to the way things are traditionally done,” he said. “They really embrace improvements, and there was a definite sense of ownership and engagement from both the corporate and site side of operations.”

One of the most tangible examples of BMA’s strong commitment to training is the miner’s commitment to bring 47 employees off shift for full-time study as part of their OCE and ERZ Controller Programs, necessary for entry into statutory roles.

“BMA’s training and development objectives are based on workforce planning data, which is analysed to identify those skill needs unlikely to be met by recruitment and ‘business as usual’ training practices,” said BMA’s training and development manager Andrew Clegg.

“Our training system is robust and ready for the challenges of BMA’s growth over the next few years,” Clegg said.

A total of 15 individuals and organisations competed across six categories in recognition of their achievements in workforce planning, development and training in the sector.