Mastermyne picked up the top gong thanks to its $A1.2 million underground coal mining training facility in Queensland, Myne Start.

The 2011 Mining Industry Skills Centre Training Awards acknowledge innovation and visionary training practices in the Australian mining and resources sector.

The innovation award recognises innovation by companies or service providers who have pushed the boundaries with processes and practices in workforce planning and development.

Myne Start was established to provide “cleanskins” with basic introductory skills in underground mining, and has trained more than 100 people since it opened last October.

Mastermyne managing director Tony Caruso told ILN he was delighted to win such a prestigious award.

“It’s a very innovative business and the most pleasing thing is that we’re being recognised for bringing solutions to a complex issue, which is the skills shortage,” Caruso said.

Caruso said the facility was mostly hands on, complete with about 300 metres of underground tunnel.

“The majority of the course is very practical, so they train in the facility and use underground equipment,” he said.

“It’s all about making them more confident so when they get to site they can transition into their roles much safer and quicker than if they didn’t have the training.”

More than 100 industry executives and training bodies attended the gala dinner last Friday night where winners across six categories were announced.

Other winners from the night included TNT Training Solutions, winning the Excellence in Training category, and New Horizons Safety and Training Services, which won the award for Best Training Processes and Practices of the Year.

This year’s awards dinner marked the event’s 13th year.