Skills4Trade is a mining pre-employment course that has been running at TAFE NSW Mudgee for the past three weeks, giving students an insight into their careers in the mining sector.
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Fourteen students from the Mid-Western region completed the award-winning Skills4Trade course and celebrated their graduation on Wednesday.
The course, which runs in collaboration with Skillset Workforce and TAFE NSW, gives students a pathway to more academic opportunities while giving them the essential skills to be employed as an apprentice or trainee in the mining industry.
The students completed mining units which included: working in confined spaces and working at heights.
An addition to this, the graduates spent three days during the last week of the course training at Moolarben Coal Operations.
Jacob Howe and Brydie Knihinicki, two graduates of the course, have been referred directly for upcoming apprenticeships and traineeship opportunities at local Mudgee mining companies.
“I’ve been trying to get work in the mines and the Skills4Trade course is helping me with training, further study, exploring different career paths and workplace skills,” Jacob said.
“It’s friendly but a very professional course to help me get a job in the mines. There is so much covered in the course and the TAFE teachers were willing to help everyone complete the work and share their real-life work experiences.”
Brydie Knihinicki from Kandos added, “The course was brilliant. I definitely learned more in-depth knowledge of the mine. I loved the mine tour at Moolarben to see how things work and I got the chance to ask a lot of questions.”
Senior manager for Skillset Workforce Jane McWilliam says one of the most pleasing aspects of the course is how work-ready the graduates become during the process.
“What is most encouraging is seeing many of the graduates have come out job-ready for the mining industry,” Jane said.
“The primary aim for the Skills4Trade courses is to help participants get an introduction to the industry and gain a pathway to further study and employment.”
Skills4Trade is a fully subsidised pre-employment program for 15-40 year olds who have left school and are interested in a pathway to a trade career.
Skills4Trade Courses are running again across the Central West in September 2018. Information sessions will be held mid-August 2018. For more information and registrations visit www.skillset.com.au
