Fortescue Metals Group recently celebrated the graduation of the latest Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) trainees, who will commence full-time employment at the company’s Eliwana, Solomon and Christmas Creek mine sites in roles spanning drill and blast, dewatering and fixed plant operations.

VTEC was established in 2006 to drive economic and generational change in the regions where Fortescue operates, and is based on the simple but compelling idea of training for a guaranteed job. The 11 graduates recently completed an accelerated VTEC Training Program over a six-week period in Karratha and Port Hedland.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines said, “Our sector is currently in a major construction phase and Fortescue is investing US$4.0 billion in the Eliwana and Iron Bridge projects, creating up to 5,000 new jobs during construction and 1,500 full-time site positions once operational.

“I am proud that Eliwana is continuing our strong track record of providing training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, with the VTEC graduates joining the team ahead of first ore on train at the end of year.”

Kelvin Phillips, one of the graduates who will be heading to Eliwana, said, “VTEC has provided me with the opportunity to work toward completing my apprenticeship, which I hope to do with Fortescue in the future. I’m really excited to be moving to Eliwana and look forward to meeting new people and being part of the team.”