Second Work Ready program begins

CITIC Pacific Mining's (CPM) second group of Indigenous Work Ready program participants recently started at the Roebourne TAFE. It follows the success of 2009’s inaugural Work Ready program. 

The group of seven will spend 13 weeks in the comprehensive program developed by CPM and the TAFE, which aims to prepare people from the project’s three Traditional Owner groups for CPM’s workforce.

During the program participants complete a TAFE Certificate I in Industrial Skills, obtain their safety awareness Blue Card, attend an Indigenous Cultural Awareness session and take part in a wellness program. Throughout the course, a CPM mentor stays in touch with the participants to help bridge the gap between study and the workplace.

The graduates will follow in the footsteps of the first group, which included Jordon Maher who was named Roebourne TAFE’s 2009 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year. Jordon was initially employed as a Fencer before successfully gaining an apprenticeship in fabrication with CPM in December 2009.

HR Manager Indigenous Employment Linda Rogers has been coordinating the program and says it is a clear demonstration of CPM’s commitment to the Traditional Owners.

“The Work Ready program will provide long-term benefits to local Indigenous people through a career pathway with the company, and we’re pleased to see that taking place with Jordon and others from the program,” Linda said.