38 students have successfully completed the award-
winning TAFE NSW Mining Skills Program, kickstarting
their careers in the mining industry.
The Mining Skills Program prepares students with the skills, knowledge and
experience to be job-ready on completion of the course and places a strong
emphasis on safety awareness. It covers training in basic hand tool skills
across four different trades including electrical, fitting and machining, metal
fabrication and welding plus automotive.
TAFE NSW Muswellbrook Mining Skills Program Manager, Kieran Kelly,
says the program continues to capture the interest of leading industry
partners within the Hunter Valley.
“The feedback we’re getting from industry is that the Mining Skills Program is
an investment in their apprentices; it’s paying dividends long term. This is not
only because of their increased safety awareness but also a more advanced
skill level in the workplace. The apprentices are educated on a broad range of
topics and we have fantastic support from industry. It’s particularly impressive
to see these big companies work not only with TAFE NSW, but with each
other, to ensure a positive outcome for not just their own apprentices, but all
apprentices participating in the program.”
Chloe Connaughton from Singleton is one of the students who is
proving that it’s never too late to move to a career you love.
First trained as a medic with the army, then working as a fly-in, fly-out
paramedic in the mines, Chloe decided it was time to relaunch her career and
the Mining Skills Program provided the perfect opportunity.
Chloe said one of the reasons an electrical apprenticeship appealed to her
most, other than being home for her kids, was so she could use her hands-on
skills and apply them every day in her job.
“After working fly-in, fly-out, I wanted to choose a trade where I had the ability
to be home every night for my two boys. I wanted to be able to learn new
skills that I could put into practice every day in my job,” Chloe said.