During this episode, Shaun McCambridge, Stellar’s Managing Director, sits down with Denise Kaitu, Stellar’s Team Leader for the Australian East Coast Trades and Labour team. Being in the industry since 2015, Denise has a wealth of mining experience; she has delivered diversified workforce solutions including ‘New to Industry’ and ‘Upskilling’ programs when businesses need access to talent during candidate tight markets. These solutions in turn provide job seekers with life changing opportunities to enter the mining industry. 

Denise’s Highlights

0:26 Demand and Outlook for Operators 

1:00 New to Industry Operator projects 

2:00 The Process of New to Industry 

2:40 Mining Operators & Trades Ideal for New to Industry Projects

3:00 Benefits of New to Industry

4:40 Upskilling Programs

6:00 Success Stories around the Candidates 

Demand and Outlook for Operators 

There is a lot of demand for operators in the mining market and not a lot of experience in the market.

New to Industry Operator projects 

With a high demand for experienced candidates her team have developed and delivered an alternative ‘New to Industry’ programs to a handful of clients across multiple sites since 2017.

We have coordinated assessment centres where we invite people to come in and do group activities. During these sessions we are able to assess how people work in teams and as individuals including safety exercises. 

We have also set up recruitment days where people can see if they are the right match to transfer from other industries and fit the site’s culture.

The Process of New to Industry 

During the first couple of weeks they undergo predominantly classroom based courses including an introductory to mining; during this time they can be a passenger in a truck or a assimilator. 

After 4-6 weeks they are able to drive the truck themselves with another person and shortly after that they are able to drive the truck solo. 

Mining Operators & Trades Ideal for New to Industry Projects

Similar initiatives are also offered on the mining trades side including auto electricians, diesel fitters, high voltage electrician from industrial, lite vehicle, heavy transport, army, marine, and agri sectors.

Benefits of New to Industry

New to Industry programs offer others in their current workforce to upskill that in turn allows more room for truck operators to start; it boosts staff morale with new people and a different set of eyes on things. 

There are also great cultural upsides and most new to industry candidates are excited to start their career in mining who have longer retention periods.

Businesses who have participated have also been able to add diversity to their sites, focusing particularly on females and Aboriginal & Torres strait islanders.

Upskilling Programs

We have also had interest in upskilling other workers from alternative industries e.g. construction operators and transferring those skills to mine sized machinery. It is a lot quicker compared to New to Industry because they understand the basics of operation; it is more about the upskilling in spacial awareness and getting to know the bigger gear. 

Success Stories around the Job Seekers

There have been great Job Seeker successes where it has had a major impact including spending more time with family, buying houses and starting families earlier, transferring to civilian life and new employment opportunities are needed to name a few.

With the market as tight as what it is and border restrictions etc still in play, upskilling programs can enable businesses to continue to grow as well as be life changing for the candidates.