The McGowan Government is partnering with Western Australia’s resources industry to pilot a new Job Ready pre-employment program that connects participants with entry-level employment opportunities in the drilling sector.
The Driller’s Offsider Job Ready program is among a suite of new skill sets developed in collaboration with WA industries to deliver short, sharp training for job seekers and young people enabling them to upskill or reskill in industries with a need for skilled workers.
The new program will provide participants with skills to work safely on site, apply first aid and CPR, work safely at heights and operate and maintain a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Expressions of interest for the new program are now open, with the first intake of students scheduled to start training with registered training organisation Australian Training Management next month.
The training is free for all job seekers, young people, and concession-eligible students and low-fee for non-concession students.
Prior to commencing the training, participants will undertake a one-day induction delivered by industry to introduce them to a driller’s role and working environment.
On completion of the course, students will be connected with opportunities to transition into employment, undertake a traineeship with a participating employer or further their training to gain a drilling operations qualification.
Employers of students who transition into traineeships will be able to access State and Australian Government incentives or wage subsidies.
The Driller’s Offsider Job Ready program was developed in consultation with the Resources Industry Training Council and key industry partners, who form part of a reference group that oversees the program.
It is part of the State Government’s $5.5 billion investment in WA Recovery Plan initiatives to upskill the WA workforce and enhance employment and training opportunities following the COVID-19 outbreak.
The State Government’s Lower fees, local skills initiative has significantly reduced fees for 210 courses, including Drilling Operations and a range of other mining qualifications.
You can register your interest in the Driller’s Offsider Job Ready program on the Jobs and Skills WA website https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/pathways or contact the Job Ready team on [email protected] or (08) 6551 5049.
More information about Lower fees, local skills is available at: https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“There is a strong demand for driller’s offsiders and the McGowan Government is continuing to deliver new training programs to meet workforce needs across the resources sector.
“This new Job Ready program offers a low-cost and fast-track training option to help Western Australians into entry-level driller’s offsider jobs, while providing a pathway to full drilling operations qualifications and employment.
“Strong industry involvement in the program helps to link participants with employers and orientation with the working environment to ensure the industry is a good fit for them.”
