Big opportunities, big potential and big careers on offer to Illawarra students

The NSW Minerals Council and local mining representatives hosted a careers event on Monday to discuss the many mining careers available and recognise local students supported by the industry.

The major careers evening in Wollongong was attended by over 100 students from Years 10 to 12, along with their teachers and families, who received detailed information and advice on mining careers direct from companies.

“We’ve hosted this event to highlight that mining provides exciting employment opportunities in a wide range of roles for local young people, across the Illawarra and beyond,” Mr Galilee said.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a student, a young person, or simply seeking a career change, NSW Mining is a rewarding industry to be a part of, with big opportunities, big potential and big careers on offer.”

“We’re also here to recognise the 16 local students awarded industry funded NSW Mining Scholarships.

“This year, we will support a record 82 students across the State to study a minerals-related degree or course comprising both new and existing students in the rolling three year program.

“Our NSW Mining Scholarships program complements our many other education and skills initiatives to support and develop our next generation of world class miners.

“Participants receive $500 in Year 11, $1,000 in Year 12 and a further $2,000 in sponsorship if they successfully complete their first year of a minerals related tertiary course. Plus, the students are matched with a ‘mentor’ from a local company, providing valuable contact with the industry.

“Diverse roles from science, geology and engineering, to a variety of trades and apprenticeships are all available to hard working and enthusiastic young people, and women in particular are encouraged to give mining a go.

“A recent report on training and education activity in the minerals sector across Australia showed that apprentices and trainees make up around 5% of the workforce of total mining, and female apprentices and trainees comprise around 15% of all apprentices and trainees.

“Over 7,000 people are directly employed in mining across the Illawarra and South East. The region enjoys a rich mining heritage and will benefit from the industry for decades to come.”

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee and representatives from BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal and Peabody Energy Australia answered a range of questions from students and parents.

Following Monday’s event, the NSW Minerals Council will take part in a local Wollongong event on Tuesday and Wednesday to provide more than 5000 local high school students with further information on pathways into a mining career.

The NSW Mining stand can be found at the Illawarra Careers Expo, sponsored by BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal, at Credit Union Stadium, Waples Rd, Unanderra, from 8:45am – 6:30pm on Tuesday and 8:45am – 1:45pm on Wednesday.  Further details can be found at 

https://iswlp.org.au/events-detail/22

Contact

: Lindsay Hermes I NSW Minerals Council I 

lhermes@nswmining.com.au

 I 02 9274 1419