Although there is no promise of employment with the mining company after the five men and one woman graduate the program, Coal and Allied has pledged to work with the Upper Hunter Skills Development Centre to help the trainees find a job in the mining industry.

 

Coal and Allied Aboriginal relations specialist Cate Sims said the training uses existing HVO training procedures that combine classroom theory, truck simulator training and practical one-on-one coaching out in the pit.

 

"The course has a very strong safety focus and the trainees are required to demonstrate their competence before they can progress to the next stage of the training," Sims said.

 

"At the end of the 12 weeks, the trainees will have practical skills that will make them very marketable in the industry.

 

"All the trainees are achieving excellent results in the program and have found it easy to fit into the mining environment.

 

"As a result, they are great ambassadors for Aboriginal people and we hope they will pave the way for others to follow."