Sue Ellery says training will help workers deal with automation and technology. Photo: Attila Csaszar

Rio Tinto to spend $2m on Tafe program

Friday, 20 October, 2017 - 14:54

Mining giant Rio Tinto has committed $2 million towards the development of a new curriculum in partnership with Tafe WA, which will focus on jobs around automation and future advancements in technology for the mining industry.

The new curriculum, branded as the first of its kind in Australia, will be developed next year, with the program to be made available to students in post-secondary courses and industry traineeships by 2019.

“We are generating opportunities for our current and future workforce to gain skills and competencies for smart mining,” Rio iron ore chief executive Chris Salisbury said.

“The new curriculum will enhance the capability of those in the mining sector and form part of the learning pathways for those seeking to enter a range of industries applying automation and technology.

“By working with South Metropolitan Tafe and the state government, we will deliver the courses that will prepare young Western Australians for the jobs of the future.

“These courses will likely be in areas including robotics, data analytics and digital inclusion education.”

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said the partnership with Rio ensured Western Australians were being equipped with the qualifications the industry would require.

“We must ensure vocational education and training keeps pace as technology and innovation transforms a range of industries,” she said.

“We want Western Australian workers, including the next generation of our workforce, to have the skills they need to take up the jobs that automation and technology will create.”