The McGowan Government has welcomed an agreement to deliver education and training and support employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the Goldfields resources sector.
Carey Mining, the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy (AAMA) and Curtin University today signed a Memorandum of Understanding marking a major step towards establishing an Aboriginal Mining Academy, offering Aboriginal training and employment pathways unique to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The three organisations will work together to determine the best approach to deliver education and training services for Aboriginal people in the Goldfields, aimed at increasing participation in meaningful employment for Aboriginal people in the region.
Earlier this year, Carey Mining received a $166,980 McGowan Government Regional Economic Development Grant to undertake a study on current and future education and training needs of the Goldfields resources sector, a first step towards establishing an Aboriginal Mining Academy.
The study is underway and will be completed by March 2020. The findings will inform the establishment of the AAMA for Aboriginal people of the Goldfields region.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“The McGowan Government is backing Aboriginal economic development initiatives in the Goldfields and welcomes the collaboration between industry and the education and training sector.
“Our RED Grant to Carey Mining was the first step towards the Aboriginal Mining Academy, and today’s agreement is a positive step towards providing meaningful employment opportunities in the local resource sector for Aboriginal people.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“It has been wonderful to meet with Aboriginal representatives and local industry and education and training providers in the Goldfields today, and to hear the positive initiatives underway.
“The McGowan Government are strong supporters of industry led initiatives, such as the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy, that will support Aboriginal people to achieve meaningful employment in the resources sector.”
