Four local Indigenous school-leavers have had the opportunity to gain special insight into the mining industry and the careers it can offer, thanks to BHP Billiton Cannington.
Accompanied by former Cowboy and TryTime! program ambassador, Dallas Johnson, the four visited the BHP Billiton Cannington mine site today to learn about the types of jobs available and their training and skill requirements.
“BHP Billiton Cannington is a major partner in the Cowboys TryTime! educational program run in secondary schools in North Queensland and, as an extension of that initiative, they wanted to provide some direct experience to this group,” Dallas explained.
“These young people are interested in gaining work in the mining industry and the visit will give them a good idea of the work involved on mine sites and the expectations of them as workers, as well as a taste of the fly-in, fly-out lifestyle.”
The Cowboys TryTime! program is a collaborative partnership between BHP Billiton Cannington, the North Queensland Cowboys and Youth with a Mission (YWAM), and was developed in direct consultation with Education Queensland and Catholic Education.
“Goal-setting is one of the modules we cover in the TryTime! program and the opportunity to visit the BHP Billiton Cannington mine will help this group to further clarify and focus their career goals," Dallas said.
"They are all part-way through their training for a Certificate III in Warehousing and this visit will hopefully help them on their way to a full-time career."
Main image: Dallas Johnson, Irene Kepa, Teio Kaniu, Vivienne Eseli, Dion Pollard
