Fortescue’s VTEC celebrates first all-female class
20 June 2017
Fortescue Metals Group’s Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) has celebrated a significant milestone, with the graduation of the program’s first all-female class.
Fortescue Metals Group’s (Fortescue) Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) has celebrated a significant milestone, with the graduation of the program’s first all-female class.
The nine female trainees from the South Hedland centre will join eight other graduates from Roebourne to start their careers at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek and Solomon operations.
Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Nev Power said workplace diversity, including gender and Aboriginal diversity, was a critical element of Fortescue’s success.
“At Fortescue, we believe in providing people with the opportunity to grow professionally and personally and we know how important it is to provide Aboriginal Australians, both men and women, with sustainable career opportunities,” Mr Power said.
“We are proud to offer a number of training pathways that align with our long-standing belief that the best way to end Aboriginal disadvantage is by providing opportunity through training and employment.”
New graduate and single mother Narelle Dhu said she was looking forward to starting her new position at Christmas Creek.
“I know other single mothers who are already part of the Fortescue family and they gave me the determination to give it a go and to push me towards a better future for me and my daughter,” she said.
“It has been a long journey to make it here but it really is life changing. If it wasn’t for the support of my family, I would not be graduating today.”
Once on site, graduates will continue to receive mentoring and support from Aboriginal Development Coordinators, dedicated to helping the graduates succeed and thrive in their career.
The nine female trainees from the South Hedland centre will join eight other graduates from Roebourne to start their careers at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek and Solomon operations.
Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Nev Power said workplace diversity, including gender and Aboriginal diversity, was a critical element of Fortescue’s success.
“At Fortescue, we believe in providing people with the opportunity to grow professionally and personally and we know how important it is to provide Aboriginal Australians, both men and women, with sustainable career opportunities,” Mr Power said.
“We are proud to offer a number of training pathways that align with our long-standing belief that the best way to end Aboriginal disadvantage is by providing opportunity through training and employment.”
New graduate and single mother Narelle Dhu said she was looking forward to starting her new position at Christmas Creek.
“I know other single mothers who are already part of the Fortescue family and they gave me the determination to give it a go and to push me towards a better future for me and my daughter,” she said.
“It has been a long journey to make it here but it really is life changing. If it wasn’t for the support of my family, I would not be graduating today.”
Once on site, graduates will continue to receive mentoring and support from Aboriginal Development Coordinators, dedicated to helping the graduates succeed and thrive in their career.