CQU is continuing its partnership with Central Queensland Institute of TAFE/TAFE Queensland Mining Services (CQIT/TQMS) and the mining industry to enable coal mine workers to upgrade their knowledge and qualifications, as well as their on-site skills.

The University recently (April 16) hosted a day-long session for students enrolled in the Associate Degree of Engineering (Mining), who are mainly from Anglo Coal operations (with a  few from Xstrata and BMA mines).

From left: Ros Gilroy (Manager TQ Mining), Dr Ratikanta Sahoo (Senior Lecturer in Mining Engineering CQU), Greg Taylor (Manager Learning Resources CQ TAFE), Dr Colin Greensill (Associate Professor Mining), Bruce Robertson (Anglo Coal Manager Underground Technical Services), Mitch Cameron (Callide), Tony Derksen (Drayton), Shane Bellamy (Callide), Jeremy Giles (Callide) and Pauline Williams (Cap Coal). Photo courtesy CQIT

The students also spent 3 days at CQIT to progress their vocational competencies.

One of the CQU sessions gave students, educators and industry representatives a chance to share feedback and ideas which will enhance their educational program and on-site training and learning experiences.

Another session provided the Mining, Safety and Survey Associates with an opportunity to showcase the knowledge and skills they have gained on site and also provide an insight into their day-to-day working lives at a coal mine.

About 3.5 years ago, Anglo Coal approached CQU and CQIT/TQMS with an educational idea incorporating workplace-integrated learning to help them alleviate a skills shortage, not just within their company but within the whole mining industry.

With the first recruits now in their final year and intakes occuring each year since its inception, Anglo Coal Australia and several other mining companies are now reaping the rewards of their efforts.

The Associate Degree of Engineering (Mining) enables new or existing staff to fast-track their career to become valuable para-professional engineers working in the daily operation of a mine site.

The role of the Mining Associates is to provide technical support to the engineering team which allows the time-stressed engineers to focus on other work relevant to their training.

All CQU's Mining Associate degree programs are offered in flex mode and articulate into the Bachelor of Engineering Technology and the Bachelor of Engineering programs, allowing students to work, study and plan a future career.