Rio Tinto boosts apprenticeship numbers across Western Australia

Rio Tinto has boosted its 2018 apprenticeship intake in Western Australia as it prepares to upskill its workforce of the future.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Chris Salisbury said "Rio Tinto is committed to building the skillset of West Australians by expanding our intake of local apprentices, graduates and trainees in 2018.

"Rio Tinto is dedicated to providing exciting new work opportunities, we want to help cultivate skills and work prospects for our next generation of employees and we’re investing to help them prepare for their job futures.

"We’re now well advanced on our Mine of the Future programme, and to building capability in our workforce for the new jobs we’ll require over the next decade.

"Today I am proud to announce over 200 new graduates, vacation students, apprentices and trainees will be recruited in 2018 across Western Australia. They will join our already strong 300 employees participating in these training pathways today.

"These new positions will deliver training and development job pathways for local people, building their capability and employability.

"For apprenticeships alone, we will boost our 2018 intake by more than 50 per cent, as we train up our workforce of the future," Chris said.

The apprentice programme is just one aspect of Rio Tinto’s state-wide commitment to employability, education and training, for school leavers, adults and indigenous job seekers.

Rio Tinto currently invests in its employee development with local training organisations, including TAFE and regional WA businesses for on-the-job training, leadership development and in-house experience.

Last week Rio Tinto also opened its vacation employment campaign enabling industry placements for undergraduates, a vital component to enable successful completion of their degree qualifications.

"Through our strong links with regional schools and our community partners we are able to reach out and engage with the future workforce of Western Australia about the exciting opportunities in our business.

"Rio Tinto is focused on generating local job opportunities, both in the Pilbara and Regions and to effectively training our current and future workforce.

"We are also very proud to be celebrating the recent significant milestone of 12.5 per cent employment of Pilbara Aboriginal People achieved through our employment pathways. These outcomes change lives for the individuals," Chris said.

Applications for the 2018 apprenticeship programme are now open, with opportunities available in the key trade areas of heavy mobile equipment, light vehicles, fixed plant and electrical.

Notes to editors

Over the past six years Rio Tinto has employed more than 600 apprentices and close to 650 graduates.

Rio Tinto has spent A$57 billion with local businesses in the past seven years.

On 11 May 2017 Rio Tinto announced its commitment to increase procurement with local suppliers to build on the on 77 per cent of its contracts already held by WA suppliers.

Rio Tinto operates direct FIFO from the Regional centres – allowing over 2000 employees to be sourced from regional towns boosting their local economies.