Dennis, who is now employed by the mine as an apprentice. ▪ Photo contributed
During his visit to Cobar last Friday, Minister for Western NSW Adam Marshall called into CSA Mine to check up on the Mining Skills Hub, a pilot program developed by the mine in conjunction with Cobar High School and funded by the State Government.
Mr Marshall has been following the program since its inception last year and was on hand last July to present first group of Year 11 students to go through the program with their Certificates of Completion.
Mr Marshall last week took the opportunity to speak with another program graduate, 18 year old Raymond Dennis, who is now employed by the mine after successfully completing the Mining Skills Hub module.
Raymond is one of four students who have been employed by the mine after the program gave students the opportunity to upskill and complete a Certificate in Safety that they can use at any mine around the country.
Mr Marshall said the course gave students a “jump-start” on their mining careers.
Raymond is employed as a first-year heavy diesel mechanic apprentice and said he now knows this is exactly the career he wanted.
He said he’s happy that he gets to do his apprenticeship in his home town where he has lived all his life.
With the success of this pilot program, the Minister said he would like to see it rolled out into other mines, and industries including health care and infrastructure projects, across regional NSW.