NSW Mines Rescue has been celebrated as the ‘Large Training Provider of the Year’ at the 2024 NSW Training Awards, held on Friday September 13. This accolade highlights the organisation’s excellence in vocational education and training within the industry.
The NSW Training Awards are conducted annually by Training Services NSW within the NSW Department of Education to recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector. The Awards honour and reward the achievements of students, trainers/teachers, registered training organisations and employers.
The Training Provider of the Year Award recognises a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers a broad range of training products and services and demonstrates excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.
Chris Clifford, Mines Rescue Training Officer, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the organisation.
“Mines Rescue was formed almost 100 years ago after a devastating mining disaster in the Hunter coalfields. At that time, the training focused on emergency response. Mines Rescue became a RTO in 1996 and today we offer a range of safety training that is applicable across many industries, including vocational education and training,” he explained.
Mines Rescue’s team of trainers and assessors are nationally accredited with extensive, specialised experience in mining operations. This expertise ensures a sound understanding of industry challenges and safety importance. Training sessions are conducted in state-of-the-art facilities, equipped with genuine equipment to simulate real-world scenarios, including live firefighting and the use of authentic breathing apparatus.
Mines Rescue’s blended learning approach of classroom, practical activities and virtual reality was a key factor in their awards entry.
“Our purpose is ‘to protect’. With virtual reality we can safely expose people to industry hazards and risks and they don’t get hurt. Zero harm is all we want,” Chris concluded.
Being named 2024 NSW Training Provider of the Year highlights Mines Rescue’s outstanding commitment to delivering high-quality training programs, employing innovative teaching methods, and achieving outstanding outcomes for learners. It also recognises the passion and dedication of Mines Rescue’s trainers and RTO team in setting new benchmarks in industry standards and enhancing workplace skills.
Earlier this year, Mines Rescue won the Hunter Safety Awards ‘Best WHS Training Program’ category for the Generic Underground Induction; and Highly Commended for ‘Best Blended Learning Solution’ at the 2023 Australian Institute of Training and Development Awards.
