A group of 17 Anglo Coal Australia Mining Associates based at a variety of mines visited CQU Rockhampton earlier this month to meet lecturers and coordinators of their mining technology education program.

Their program is coordinated by Anglo Coal Australia, Central Queensland University and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE/TAFE Queensland Mining Services.

Last year, Anglo Coal Australia employed seven mining technologists at various ACA open cut mine sites throughout Queensland and New South Wales through the Mining Associates Program. All but one have maintained their enrolment.

A requirement of their employment was that they enroll in the CQU Engineering Associate Degree (Mining Technology), studying an integrated set of CQU courses and CQIT/TQMS units.

The organisations developed the program to ensure students received the type of education, training and practical work-based experience required to fill an identified gap in the technical workforce of Anglo Coal Australia.

The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to support mining professionals in the performance of their duties in the functions of mine planning, coal quality management, surveying, environmental monitoring and project development.

An Anglo Coal Australia spokesperson said earlier this year that the success of the 2005 pilot program has resulted in an expansion of the program to include a stream of study in coal quality and geology and the development of a new program for underground coal mining.

“This program has been an outstanding success for Anglo Coal Australia with employees in the pilot group already performing responsible roles within our technical departments.

“This year we have employed a further 12 Mining Associates (including 2 in the underground stream of the program) and other mining companies are also now putting students into the courses,” the spokesperson said.

Professor Elizabeth Taylor AO, the Executive Dean of Sciences Engineering & Health at CQU said that this program again demonstrated the value that CQU places on working closely with industry and other education providers to further the strength of our youth.

CQ TAFE Director Bill Fry said the innovative partnership was an excellent example of TAFE’s flexible approach to addressing skills shortages within the mining industry.

“We have customised our training delivery to ensure TAFE provides practical, hands-on training that complements students’ university study and workplace activities.”.

A three-way mentoring process supports students by using Anglo Coal Australia, CQU and CQIT/TQMS representatives.

The students are required to study part-time for a period of four years while being simultaneously employed by Anglo Coal Australia.