Working to unearth a skilled workforce

30 March 2009

The current economic climate is presenting significant challenges for the Australian resources industry, encouraging the development of innovative approaches to training and skilling. 

The 2009 Mining Industry Skills Centre Conference themed “Explore. Exchange. Equip. Unearthing success from a skilled workforce”, is being held in Brisbane on September 24 -25 and aims to equip delegates with the insight needed to manage the workforce challenges facing them now and into the future. 

The event program has been specifically designed to address the effect the current economic era is having on training and skilling in the resources industry, and the need for innovative approaches to provide sustainability through open forums, facilitated solutions-based workshops and presentations from keynote speakers. 

The Mining Industry Skills Centre’s CEO Mr Derek Hunter said given the current economic climate, it is essential that the resources industry can effectively manage its workforce. 

“Innovative approaches to skilling and training are essential to secure the future of Australia’s resources industry and the Skills Centre is excited to be offering a forum that looks at how these innovative approaches can help address the challanges around training in an economic downturn,” he said. 

“The opportunities provided to delegates at the Conference to address relevant issues, network and learn from top professionals in the industry during this new economic climate could not have come at a more crucial time for the future of the industry,” Mr Hunter said. 

Registrations for The 2009 Mining Industry Skills Centre Conference are now open and selling fast. For more information and to register online, please visit www.miskillscentreconference.com.au  

Training Awards 

The closing feature of the Conference is the Mining Industry Skills Centre Training Awards, which recognise and reward exceptional achievements of individuals, organisations, trainers and trainees who have made an outstanding contribution to training and skill development in the resources industry. 

The Skills Centre has been hard at work developing the Training Awards to reflect the ever-evolving training progress and innovation in the Australian resources industry in this new climate. 

“It is essential that we acknowledge innovation and dedication by trainees, apprentices, trainers and companies in the Australia resources industry across the coal, metalliferous, extractive, processing and drilling sector,” Mr Hunter said. 

“In 2008, we received a record number of nominations. This year with the addition of the new Apprentice of the Year Award, we hope to again increase the number of nominations received,” added Mr Hunter.  

Nominations are now open for the 2009 Training Awards and are available to all segments of the resources industry across Australia. 

To nominate an individual, trainee, apprentice, trainer or organisation for the 2009 Mining Industry Skills Centre Training Awards, please visit www.miskillscentreconference.com.au/awardnominations to nominate online or download a nomination form.  

Award Categories

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS 

Trainee of the Year

Coal Trainee of the Year

Metalliferous Trainee of the Year

Extractive Trainee of the Year

Drilling Trainee of the Year

Processing Trainee of the Year 

Individual Award for Excellence in Training 

Apprentice of the Year 

COMPANY AWARDS

Best Training Processes and Practices of the Year – Registered Training Organisations

Best Training Processes and Practices of the Year – Small-Medium Company

Best Training Processes and Practices of the Year – Medium-Large Company  

INNOVATION AWARDS

Innovation Award – Workforce Planning

Innovation Award – Workforce Development