Roberts, who will start her role as director on August 29, is the deputy regional director of the Hunter-Central Coast region of NSW Public Schools and the chief executive of the Hunter-Central Coast Registered Training Organisation.
Roberts said she was excited to begin the position, calling it “a truly unique opportunity”.
NuCoal managing director Glen Lewis said Roberts had done an exceptional job in delivering high quality education programs.
“Maree brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a senior administrator and teacher in the education sector, and this will be a great asset for NuCoal as we establish Australia’s first coal-centric training school,” he said.
Lewis said the training school would operate alongside the proposed Doyles Creek underground mine being developed by NuCoal in the Upper Hunter.
“As a vocational education and training school, the Doyles Creek underground mine training school has a key role to play in responding to the future skills needs of the underground coal mining industry in New South Wales and assisting the industry with providing high-quality training for real jobs,” he added.
Lewis said the school would offer training programs through organisations and groups supporting careers in the mining industry.
The training school, which will draw on the expertise of the University of Newcastle, also lists mine safety as one of its key priorities.