More than 30 local and Indigenous employees recently gained formal qualifications in heavy vehicle operations as part of MMG Century’s up-skilling program.
The initiative is part of Century’s sustainable community investment program and provides meaningful training and employment opportunities for local people.
The comprehensive training program, delivered by Driveway Training, included theoretical and practical training, with participants gaining Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Certificates of Competencies, known as ‘tickets’, for various pieces of equipment. Some participants have gained tickets to operate multiple types of heavy machinery.
Century General Manager Karl Spaleck said that the program was developed in response to feedback from community members.
“All employees at Century undertake a rigorous training and assessment process before being certified competent to operate heavy machinery. However, they do not receive formal tickets or qualifications as part of this process.
“During my visits to local communities, I learnt that not having these formal qualifications can be a barrier to them getting jobs in local communities or at other mining operations.
“After learning this, my Community, Training and Mining teams began working with Driveway Training to develop a program that supported local Indigenous employees to gain tickets in Operating Front End Loaders, Excavators, Rollers, Graders and Dozers.
Driveway Training Manager Sue Clark said that she welcomed the opportunity for her company to deliver the training.
“Driveway Training has been working with Century since the project construction days and we were pleased to be able to provide these opportunities for local Indigenous people.
“It was an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
“Having these tickets will make a big difference to their future work opportunities and their communities.”
Century operates under the Gulf Communities Agreement (GCA), a Native Title Agreement between the mine, Queensland Government and four local Native Title Groups. The GCA provides training, employment and business opportunities as well as cultural and environmental assurances for Gulf communities.
Century is owned by MMG, a member of the Minmetals Limited Resources group of companies.
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