Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) has celebrated the graduation of its latest cohort of apprentices through the Fortescue Trade Training Centre. Joined by Western Australia’s Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Sue Ellery MLC, Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines congratulated the 32 graduates at an official ceremony in Perth.
“At Fortescue, we are committed to providing training and employment pathways for the next generation of our workforce to help build a pipeline of diverse talent for our operations,” Ms Gaines said.
“As part of our approach to providing employment opportunities to Indigenous Australians, we are pleased that nearly 70 per cent of our graduating apprentices are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.”
“Greater diversity leads to better outcomes for Fortescue and the communities in which we live and work. We are focused on identifying and breaking down the barriers for entry to the resources sector, so we can continue to strengthen our business,”
The apprenticeship program complements other initiatives already in place, including Fortescue’s pioneering Vocational Training and Education Centre and Trade Up programs, which provide sustainable career development opportunities for Aboriginal and female team members.
Graduate Omar Farrell, who will shortly commence as a mechanical fitter at Cloudbreak, was named Fortescue’s Apprentice of the Year at the graduation ceremony.
“Fortescue’s apprenticeship program gave me the skills, opportunities and support to succeed in my career and create a future I am excited about. I would like to thank Fortescue and everyone who supported the graduates and I on our journey,” he said.
Background
Fortescue’s apprenticeship program is celebrating its ten year anniversary in 2021. The program covers a range of trades to support the business, including electricians, heavy vehicle mechanics, fixed plant mechanics, fabricators and light vehicle mechanics.
Nearly 30 per cent of the current apprentice intake are women, and over 40 per cent are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Launched in 2015, Fortescue’s Trade Up program is an innovative apprenticeship program, specifically for Aboriginal and female team members, which provides successful applicants with the opportunity to start a 12-month traineeship with a pathway to a four-year apprenticeship program.
