Media Release
Solid Energy and Tai Poutini agree Mine Training Partnership
A centre of excellence for mining industry training is the goal of a new partnership between coal producer and distributor, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd and Greymouth's Tai Poutini Polytechnic.
Tai Poutini has been selected by Solid Energy as its New Zealand training provider, delivering a range of polytechnic-based and on-site training initiatives for the company's 460 staff, which focus around mining operations on the West Coast, the Waikato and Southland and the Christchurch corporate office.
Solid Energy estimates that its current workforce, supported by 240 contracting staff at its opencast mines, will have to grow significantly to meet demands for increased production over the next five years. As with a number of similar industries, Solid Energy is facing a chronic shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand, particularly geologists, engineers, miners and tradespeople.
Tai Poutini will work with Solid Energy to identify and deliver training programmes to upskill and develop its workforce. These will include unit-based standard training through the Extractive Industry Training Organisation (EXITO), advanced study courses for tradespeople, on-site training for mineworkers leading to an EXITO qualification, supervisory development programmes at all levels, and managerial training.
Solid Energy and Tai Poutini will work in partnership with other organisations to promote mining as a career with a future to high school and tertiary students, particularly through trainee mineworker programmes, apprenticeships and a graduate programme. Other initiatives will include partnerships with schools and participating in career fairs. Retraining opportunities for adults will also be developed.
In the year ending 30 June 2002, 90% of all Solid Energy staff participated in training and development programmes, including 220 staff in EXITO programmes, nine apprenticeships and 24 in extra-mural and graduate study.
Solid Energy Chief Executive, Dr Don Elder, comments: "Solid Energy is committed to providing quality training for our staff to enhance their skills and qualifications and to give them increased access to recognised qualifications. We expect that this agreement will see a wide range of courses offered to them. It will also give us a direct relationship with trainers, which will ensure that the training delivery meets with the objectives of both the company and the individual employee. We're very pleased to be working with Tai Poutini which has a reputation for innovation, quality and being responsive to industry needs."
Tai Poutini, Chief Executive, Don Campbell, adds: "This is a significant step for Tai Poutini in achieving our goal of becoming a centre of excellence in mining training in New Zealand. Solid Energy is a strongly performing New Zealand company with a commitment to its staff. We welcome the opportunity to work closely with them to add value to their operation through our understanding and expertise of education and training processes and systems. This is a major boost for the West Coast's polytechnic and is entirely consistent with the direction of the current tertiary education reforms."
