A NEW school-based traineeship focused on helping students enter the mining industry has launched in the South West.
As part of a new partnership between Doral Mineral Sands, the South Regional TAFE and two Bunbury high schools, two Year 10 students from Dalyellup College and Newton Moore Senior High School will begin the 'Student to Workforce Pathways Program' in Term 1 of 2022.
Running over 18 months, the program enables students to complete a Certificate II in Resource Processing and one day of work experience at Doral Mineral Sands, in addition to their secondary education in Year's 11 and 12.
Following a recent selection process, Dalyellup College student Kydan Bagby-Brown Newton Moore Senior High School student Rhys Rangihaeata were chosen to take part in the program.
The pair were officially welcomed to the traineeship at a presentation held at Doral Mineral Sands in Picton on Thursday, November 18.
South Regional TAFE managing director Mark Seaward said the program started when both he and Doral Mineral Sands general manager Andrew Templeman noticed a "gap" in how students could enter the industry from school.
This is the end result today - a couple of young men who will learn everything there is about minerals sands processing, and then at the end of Year 12, will have a career pathway already ahead of them.
- South Regional TAFE managing director Mark Seaward
"There was no answer to the question of how do you become an operator in a mineral sands plant out of high school, it was just you go and do a trade and then fall into it," Mr Seaward said.
"We thought there must be a better way, so we started to work towards how we could engage Year 11 and 12 students in a school-based traineeship, where they spend a day here for a year-and-a-half, learn the industry and then become industry operators at the end of their school career.
"Doral were kind enough to be part of the pilot for the program and this is the result today - a couple of young men who will learn everything there is about minerals sands processing, and then at the end of Year 12, will have a career pathway already ahead of them."
Both traineeship recipients Mr Bagby-Brown and Mr Rangihaeata said they didn't expect to receive the traineeship, but that it "meant a lot".
"It's a really awesome opportunity," Mr Bagby-Brown said.
"I'm really looking forward to the whole traineeship with Doral and can't wait to see where my career will go."
Doral Mineral Sands produces titanium minerals and zircon sand products at its mineral sands operations in the South West and Peel areas.
With a focus on creating more jobs in the region, Mr Templeman said the success of the program would help develop the mining workforce for the future.
"Students will learn real skills in a real work environment while undertaking a VET pathway to complete their WACE graduation," Mr Templeman said.
"This program is the first of its kind in the South West and we look forward to welcoming both Kydan and Rhys to the Doral team, whilst working closely with both schools and South Regional TAFE.
"I wish the boys all the best and look forward to seeing their development over the next 18 months."