The Mining Industry Skills Centre's new Heavy Industry Generic Induction Program opens the pathway not only to the wider resources sector in the area of processing, but to heavy industry in general allowing for contractors to move across sectors whilst recognising previous sector's inductions.

The Heavy Industry Generic Induction Program is an extension of the current Generic Induction Program.

"The aim of both of these programs is to significantly reduce the time and costs involved in induction training as well as decrease the duplication of inductions as contractors move from site to site. This benefits both the companies and contractors themselves while also helping to assist in addressing the skills shortages across the industry," MISC said.

The program will be launched on Thursday February 21 at the Rockhampton-based New Horizons Safety and Training Services.

The program was developed in response to industry demand, in particular members of the Townsville, Gladstone and Rockhampton resources sector.

New and existing employees as well as contractors at Queensland Magnesia will be the first industry employees to undertake the course.

The program is currently being rolled out across the state and to participating sites and registered training organisations in key areas throughout Australia.