CQU has introduced a unique on-the-job education program designed to increase career opportunities, ensure sustainability and enhance mining operations across the state and throughout Australia.

The program – a special undergraduate degree – was developed in response to the growing needs of the coal industry, government agencies and Central Queensland communities.

“This region is in the midst of a multibillion-dollar economic boom triggered by Asia’s enormous appetite for coal and what looks like an emerging market for Queensland coal exports to Mexico. This is a industry scrambling to recruit, educate and retain qualified professionals to cope with increased demand – and CQU is providing solutions,” said CQU’s Professor of Management Peter Smith.

The University’s initiation of the Mining Cadetship Program means there is an education pathway from post-secondary and tertiary study into mine management for both underground and open cut mining.

In cooperation with Central Queensland Institute of Technical & Further Education, TAFE Queensland Mining Services, other education providers and industry, CQU will provide cadets with the learning opportunities necessary to achieve first-class Mine Manager accreditation and a CQU Bachelors Degree in Mine Operations Management.

“The key to the degree program is that all the partners are actively engaged as a collective regional resource, focusing on the sustainability of our communities and the success of individuals in ways that address the student’s and industry’s needs,” said Professor Smith.

CQU is located in the heart of Australia’s coal mining industry – almost half of all coal mining production is in the Bowin Basin.

Successful participants in the Cadetship will be qualified to progress to senior managerial positions in both the coal and metalliferous mining industries - e.g. Mine Technical Services Manager and Mine Training Services Manager, Mine Safety, Health and Environment Services Manager and Mine Business Services Manager.

The Mining Cadetship is embedded in the Australian Qualifications Framework. Because it is delivered at the workplace, the CQU program is structured around current technical specifications and industry demands.

Surrounded by 41 operating coal sites (June 2003) and 30 billion tonnes of identified resources of black coal, CQU is a valuable resource for mining and mining-dependant companies.

The extractive and processing sectors rely on CQU’s extensive network of researchers and facilities including Australia’s Cooperative Centre for Integrated Engineering Asset Management, the Process Engineering & Light Metals Centre (PELM), CQU’s Primary Industries Research Centre, the Centre for Environmental Management, the Gladstone Centre for Clean Coal, Australia’s Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies & the Centre for Railway Engineering and the just announced Science & Technology Park to be based at CQU Mackay.

“Local Queensland Government and business are combining forces to maximise opportunities from significant growth in the Central Queensland coal mining industry, generating considerable interest in collaborative and sustained efforts,” said Mayor Cr Margaret Strelow, Rockhampton City Council.

The Mining Cadetship Program and other CQU initiatives, including Safe-EfficientChinaCoal.com.au, support growing links between the University and the mining industries in Australia, China and other countries.

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