2 September 2026
Finocchiaro CLP Government will establish a Mineral Emblem to recognise the importance of minerals and mining to the Territory.
A new NT Mining Cadets education program will be introduced to deliver a stronger and more skilled local workforce for the resources sector.
Up to 60 students will combine nationally recognised training in Workplace Skills (Mining) encompassing industry engagement, site visits, and hands-on work experience.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government will establish a Mineral Emblem for the Northern Territory and introduce a new NT Mining Cadets education program to deliver a stronger and more skilled local workforce for the resources sector.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro will tell the NT Resources Week 2026 conference today that the new Mineral Emblem will recognise the importance of minerals and mining to the Territory.
It will be developed in partnership with the Minerals Council of Australia and the public soon will be invited to consider a selection of minerals found in the Territory to select the one which best represents the Territory.
“Other states proudly have these emblems which reflect their own unique identities and it is long overdue that we have our own mineral emblem to recognise the important role mining and minerals have played throughout our history,” the Chief Minister will tell the conference.
“Mining and minerals represent 27 per cent of the Territory’s economy and have shaped the development of our towns and industries for over 150 years, since gold was discovered in Pine Creek in 1871.”
The Chief Minister also announced that the Finocchiaro CLP Government will partner with the Charles Darwin University TAFE and the Minerals Council of Australia to deliver a new NT Mining Cadets Program.
“Our Government understands that to make the most of the opportunities in our mining and minerals sectors, we need a stronger and more skilled local workforce,” the Chief Minister will tell the conference.
“Under the former Labor Government, the mining industry was told they were not welcome in our public schools. We wasted no time in fixing that because we know that the mining and minerals industry provides excellent jobs for Territorians.
“This new program brings together our schools, CDU TAFE’s vocational training expertise, and leverages direct support from industry through the Minerals Council and its members.”
The Chief Minister said that up to 60 students will have the opportunity to combine nationally recognised training through a Certificate II in Workplace Skills (Mining) encompassing industry engagement, site visits, and hands-on work experience.
Participating industry partners will include Core Lithium, Territory Generation, and SLR Consulting.
“The training will equip school leavers for employment, apprenticeships, traineeships, or further tertiary studies,” the Chief Minister will tell the conference.
“We want to build a society and economy where vocational training is valued as much as university degrees.
“Through the NT Mining Cadets Program, young Territorians will build practical workplace skills, explore career opportunities in the resources sector, and gain valuable work experiences while completing their secondary education.”
The program has been designed in response to industry needs, helping students transition from school into work and building a pipeline of job-ready local workers for the future.
