Barada Barna Alliance To Drive Indigenous Employment In Mining

In a major boost for skills development in Central Queensland, leading registered training organisation Civil Safety has unveiled a cutting-edge training facility in Moranbah—signalling a bold investment in the region’s future workforce.

Simultaneously, the company has announced a landmark partnership with the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation (BBAC), designed to deliver exclusive training and employment pathways for Barada Barna people in a move that merges education with empowerment.

Recognising the need to create a modern indigenous workforce, while still true to their cultural history, the traditional landowner group will utilise the ‘Online Anytime’ software platform and Civil Safety for all safety and training, offering a combination of online, classroom and on-the-job training to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required for employment within the local mining sector.

Robert Kerridge started Civil Safety 15 years ago in a rented building in Bacon Street, with one trainer and a trailer. Today the company employs more than 100 people and operates one of the largest networks of training facilities in Queensland and Australia.

“We have never forgotten our roots: our new digs are more than just a new building, but a gateway to the very best in training,” Mr Kerridge said.

“It’s Civil Safety’s commitment to central Queensland along with proudly celebrating our historic relationship with the town. Companies like BMA, Thiess, and Anglo American have entrusted us, and continue to trust us, with the training of their employees.”

BBAC chairperson Luarna Dynevor said training and employment pathways were critical to increasing Barada Barna people’s likelihood of greater economic and social participation along with creating a modern indigenous workforce.

“It creates a cycle of employment and stability in tune with today’s modern workforce,” Ms Dynevor said.

“Being so remote, it can be hard to find job opportunities in the Moranbah and surrounding areas, but this training will create direct pathways to employment, ensuring there are always opportunities for the next generation to start a career particularly in mining.”

The Civil Safety training centre also supports the Moranbah High School’s vocational education programs.

With 43 mining sites across the region, Deputy Principal Ashley Spain said many students followed parents into mining careers.

“We’ve been working with Civil Safety for the last three years to assist us with providing training pathways and the skills students need to go into those mining futures,” Mr Spain said.

“The blocks of training are perfect for our students so they can then continue with the rest of their training at school.”

Isaac Regional Councillor Melissa Westcott credited training facilities with “keeping our people in our town and bringing people to our town."

“It’s just great for our school kids because it's access, access on-site in our towns,” Ms Westcott said.

“It allows them to trial and have a taste of what the mining industry has to offer without going fully into it before they know what they don't know.

“Accessing training and development, doing the workshops and doing some courses to find out ‘is this what's right for me?’ or ‘is this the career I'm looking for to take?’ and then they can make those further career decisions as they're going through schooling.”

Moranbah High School student Cody Metcalfe, 16, agrees.

“Dad works in the mine, we live close to a mine and pretty much everywhere you go here there are mines,” he said.

“By doing various courses, you become switched on about what the mining industry is all about: it really put it in my mind that I wanted to work in the mine.”

The new centre combines classroom training with in-the-field practical plant and machinery training at Civil Safety’s nearby yard facility.

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Civil Safety has opened a new Moranbah training hub and partnered with Barada Barna to boost Indigenous employment in mining. Photos supplied

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