students graduating from the mine’s second intake of the Work Preparation Skills Course last Wednesday. ▪ Photo contributed
A second group of Cobar High School students has graduated a work preparation training course at the CSA Mine.
The Year 11 students have attended the mine site one day per week for the past 10 weeks
to complete the Work Preparation Skills Course.
Students completed nine mining competencies, took part in a variety of onsite activities and also toured various departments at the mine which gave them an insight into working in a mining environment.
Michael Wright, the deputy secretary of Resources and Geoscience with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, was on-site at CSA last Wednesday for the graduation ceremony.
Mr Wright, along with Cobar High School principal Shane Carter and CSA general manager Peter Christen, handed out certificates to the 10 graduating students.
“In addition to the qualifications they have gained, the pilot program has provided students with hands on experience on a mine site and an insight into the opportunities available to them in the mining industry,” Mr Carter said.
Scott Purdie, CSA’s HR superintendent, coordinated the course with funding from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
“The feedback from participants and the stakeholders has been very positive and there is strong support to continue the program next year,” Mr Purdie said.
Mr Purdie said it was encouraging to see a high percentage of females completing the courses with the second course made up of 80 per cent of female students
