The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) has awarded scholarships to four Aboriginal employees from the resources sector, providing the opportunity to further develop leadership and management skills through a Certificate IV in Frontline Management delivered by Australian Institute of Management (AIM).
CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith congratulated the successful candidates who he said were excellent examples of the up and coming Aboriginal leaders in the WA resources sector.
“The participants are great examples of role models in their own communities and organisations and with the scholarship for the Certificate IV in Frontline Management through AIM, they will be able to build upon their current skills as well as gain a nationally accredited qualification,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
Mr Howard-Smith said the resources sector was proud that 4.2 per cent of the sector’s workforce are Aboriginal, compared to the state average of 1.6 per cent, according to CME’s 2013 Diversity in the Western Australian Resources Sector survey, but underlined there was still more to be done.
“CME has worked in partnership with AIM to ensure that the course is tailored to meet the needs and learning styles of Aboriginal managers and supervisors and there will be a strong emphasis on mentoring and learning in a culturally appropriate environment.”
“Increasing diversity in the resources sector is critical and Aboriginal people bring not only knowledge and skills to the workplace but offer new perspectives which in turn are good for business.”
A total of 14 applications were received for the scholarships. To be eligible, candidates were required to be of Aboriginal descent, employed in a team leader/supervisor/management role or seeking such a position, be employed by a CME member organisation and have the support of their employer.
The winners are:
Shane Badham is the Supervisor of Rio Tinto’s Indigenous Participation Program at Cape Lambert, leading a team of 30 Indigenous employees. Shane has previously held a number of supervisory positions and applied for the program to gain formalised training targeting management and supervisory skills.
Jayson Currie has worked in the resources sector for over twelve years, progressing from a haul truck operator to a specialist in fleet management systems and now team supervisor at BHP Billiton’s Mount Keith Mine. Jayson enjoys the challenges that a supervisor role brings, especially the opportunity to mentor, train and develop his team and he is keen to further develop his own leadership skills, which he says will also benefit the business by having more representation from Aboriginal leaders within senior management.
Andrew Drummond is a fixed plant maintainer at Rio Tinto’s Yandicoogina mine site in the Pilbara and is currently on secondment as a shutdown maintainer which requires him to supervise a team of contractors during shutdowns. Previously, he has acted as a shift coordinator and shift supervisor and is looking to expand his supervisory skills.
Steven Trott is looking to develop his leadership skills as part of this scholarship, and utilise his current work experience as a back-up supervisor with BHP Billiton. In the long term, Steven is looking to move to a full time supervisor role and be a role model to his family and his community.
