Anglo Coal Australia Pty Ltd, Central Queensland University (CQU) and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE/TAFE Queensland Mining Service (CQIT/TQMS) have united to meet the needs of Australia’s mining community by producing a specialised Mining Associate Program.

The education providers were approached in October last year by Anglo Coal Australia Pty Ltd to help produce a specialised program to address the shortfall in Mining Associates within their organisation.

Since then, in collaboration with Anglo Coal, CQU and CQIT/TQMS have co-produced the CQU Associate Degree in Engineering (Mining Technology), incorporated in the ‘Anglo Coal Australia Pty Ltd Mining Associate Program’.

The Mining Associate Program has been designed as a Work Integrated Learning program comprising a four-year, part-time study program integrated with employment at Anglo Coal Open Cut Mine sites.

Earlier this year, Anglo Coal employed seven people as full-time Mining Associates, at various mine sites across Queensland and New South Wales.

They are working and studying in the pilot program and are now approaching completion of their first term of study, as part-time distance education students in the Associate Degree program.

“Through the collaboration of Anglo Coal Australia, CQU's James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems and the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE (CQIT) /TAFE Queensland Mining Service (TQMS), an integrated Industry/University/TAFE program, incorporating education, training and practical work-based experience, has been established,” Dean of CQU’s James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems Professor Elizabeth Taylor said.

“CQU courses and TAFE unit competencies are studied concurrently, while industry experience development working on Anglo Coal mine sites provides the integrated industry practice learning context,” Professor Taylor explained.

“The special Associate Degree of Engineering (Mining Technology) program continues CQU's success in working with industry and other educational institutions to meet industry skills development needs.”.

Anglo Coal management and the seven students this week visited CQU Rockhampton and CQIT to meet lecturers and general staff involved in the new program.

The mining industry is keenly watching this new initiative.

“Other mining companies have shown significant interest in the program and it is expected to be available for their employees from 2006,” Professor Taylor said.

Photo (above): Students and representatives of CQU, TAFE and Anglo Coal Australia.

Photo (left): Students and TAFE representatives at the meeting.

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