The first of the pilots for the program was run exclusively for the indigenous Woorabinda community to provide opportunities for motivated individuals seeking steady employment within the resource industry.

MISC collaborated with the Salvation Army, training organisation New Horizons, Anglo Coal Dawson Mines and Downer EDI Mining for the program.

Anglo Coal Dawson Mines training coordinator Debbie Butler said the site was proud to be involved with the initiative.

“The students were eager to learn all that they could about minesite operations and the course gave them background classroom theoretical knowledge as well as practical simulator training, which combined to give the students the skills they needed to put their training into practice,” Butler said.

MISC industry learning development advisor Mitch Lester said the first of the program’s pilots had received great support from the industry. It was anticipated that graduates would be offered positions on the participating mine sites.

Graduate, mother of six Patricia Rankin said that she felt privileged and blessed to have been selected to be part of the first indigenous group to complete the Work Readiness Program.

“I am hoping to inspire other mothers in the community to achieve their career goals. This course has brought a lot of hope and motivation to the Woorabinda community and many people are asking when the next one will take place,” Rankin said.