A training project piloted by RMIT University and SAGE Didactic in the mining and power industries at Mount Isa, Queensland, has won an innovation award from industry skills advisor Kinetic Group.
[Pictured alongside: Peter Dawson and Bruce Kendall with their awards.]
RMIT teamed up with automation training provider SAGE Didactic to deliver a breakthrough in instrumentation and control training, which produced quality training outcomes above academic requirements.
Bruce Kendall, Senior Educator Business Development, at RMIT's School of Engineering TAFE, said the program involved 30 people and took "some thinking outside the box" to make it happen.
"We really had to break the mould of the traditional delivery model," he said.
"We wanted a sophisticated automation training solution that would assist the mining industry to address labour market challenges including the skills shortage, an ageing workforce, different learning styles, career opportunities, and increasing production demands."
The judging panel praised the fact that the program presented a viable, industry driven solution to the challenges associated with the skills shortage, and noted the training model was transferrable to any mine sites where targeted technical training was needed.
Derek Hunter, CEO, Kinetic Group, said that in an environment where some companies were cutting training budgets it was encouraging to see his industry's leading companies working with "forward-thinking service providers" to create a more skilled workforce.
Peter Dawson, co-founder and former CEO of SAGE Didactic, put the success down to the strength of the partnerships with Xstrata Mount Isa Mines, Kinetic Group, and Stanwell, Queensland's largest power generator.
"Without these early adopters and the other stakeholders who play an active role in reshaping skilling for the mining workforce, the project could not have commenced, thus not been the success it is proving to be," he said.
The Kinetic 2012 Training Awards are the key recognition program for training and skilling for the sector and celebrate the leading work being undertaken by companies, trainers, trainees and apprentices.
Kinetic 2012 is the first training awards held by Kinetic Group since rebranding in January this year.
Formerly the Mining Industry Skills Centre, the annual training awards is a key event on the calendar for industry.
Fifteen individuals and organisations competed across six categories in recognition of their achievements in workforce planning, development and training.