As part of Forrest Personnel’s WorkABILITY Day Premier Coal opened their doors to give opportunities to several people to shadow a staff member throughout the day.
The 10 participants explored job roles in geology, surveying, health and safety, administration, welding, operating and cleaning, last Monday.
Premier Coal health training superintendent Ziedonis Rijkuris said this year the company took on 10 people as opposed to two in previous years.
“By limiting it to two we only had a couple of people see the benefits that the WorkABILITY people can bring, but this year we were able to spread it right around our workforce,” Mr Rijkuris said.
“It was a really successful day, there were a few dubious looking faces when they arrived in the morning, they were a bit scared and worried but as everyone of them were leaving they had big smiles on their faces.
“We really just wanted to help and show them that they’re jobs out here that they could and would be capable of doing. Then in the future when we have a position come available they could absolutely apply.”
Forrest Personnel employment consultant Debra Franks said she helped to orgainse the day with Premier Coal health safety training advisor Jamie Wood.
“I organised the day to showcase local people and their abilities to a local employer. Everyone is employable, you just have to find the right employer,” Mrs Franks said.
“We have people who can and would like to work eight, 15, 23 or up to 30 hours per week, this can mean the difference between independence and dependence.
“The feedback from Premier Coal was very positive, I think the participants left an impact on all involved. It was a two way learning experience that was great for everyone.”
WorkABILITY Day participant Damian Magill said the day was really worthwhile.
“I got to go to the welder shop as I am a boiler maker by trade, I wasn’t physically allowed to do too much being a visitor but it did get me interested into doing that kind of role again,” Mr Magill said.
“I got a lot of enjoyment out of seeing other people who hadn’t been to see a mine site before.”
Mr Wood said it was a good experience for all involved.
“It shows them that they’re a lot of different aspects to the mining industry, it’s not just all driving trucks and environmental surveyors, we have all sorts of things,” Mr Wood said.
“For some of the younger people it really gave them a good confidence boost to get out there and see what could happen and see what’s available to them.”